[Reader-list] Media in conflict

[Aman Malik]

Hi all,

I am currently engaged in researching for a paper that seeks to analyse the
role of mass media in identity based conflict situations in South Asia(Sri
Lanka, Kashmir, North East etc). The abstract of the paper is given at the
end of this meessage. This paper is to be presented at a conference next
month and is to be sent in by November 4, 2005.

Would anyone on this group be in any position to help me with the same? You
could either lead me to certain published material which pertains to the
said subject, that you know of or if you have any inputs to offer by way of
comments, suggestions etc. You may also be aware of people who could help
me.


I would be most greatful for all help extended.

Regards,
Aman Malik
New Delhi, India




*Media in Conflict
The role of the media in a conflict situation.

By: Aman Malik

In an identity based conflict situation, the media is usually the first
casualty as its power tends to get usurped by all the players in the
conflict. This is especially true of conflicts where there is a complete
breakdown of local governance and so the media ends up as the only
functioning democratic agency, thereby acquiring the role of the sole
validator of public opinion.

In long drawn out (violent) conflicts such as the ones in the Middle East,
Sri Lanka and Kashmir, over time, fault lines develop within the media and
it tends to get polarized along ideologies that are antithetical to each
other. Eventually, the media, a tool whose power, in theory at least, has
the potency and indeed the vibrancy to play a constructive role toward the
resolution of the conflict, becomes subservient to the players the conflict.
Sections of the media take up such hard-line positions that they become
de-facto propaganda machines for the state, the sub-state actors and other
players (human rights groups, NGOs, think tanks and special interest groups
et al.) in the conflict. Moreover, every sub-state actor today has its own
mouthpiece, whose ability to influence public opinion cannot be neglected.

It therefore becomes pertinent to study the role of the media at all three
levels: the local national and the international. In fact today, with the
evolution of the electronic media and the Internet the media has become
ubiquitous, with the result that the validity of aforementioned
stratification itself may be in dispute.

This paper would seek to analyse this transformation in the role of the
media by taking up the Sri Lanka and Kashmir conflicts as case studies. It
would seek to draw parallels between the three situations and arrive at
informed conclusions. The paper would be more journalistic than academic i.e.
it would analyse the issue polemically and not in an overly academic
fashion.

--
"There is nothing more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its
success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things
- because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under
the old conditions and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under
the new."










*"The Prince"
Nicolo Machiavelli
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