Studies and Economic Media Center – SEMC has organized a webinar on peace journalism practices, with the participation of the American prof: Steven Youngblood, the director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, University of Park, United States of America.
At the opening of the webinar, Mr. Mohammed Ismail, the executive manager of SEMC, confirmed that the webinar aims to provide the participants with good practices of peace journalism in order to enhance their capacities and skills, to be able to provide good conflict-sensitive journalism coverage, and promote the values of coexistence and peace in society.
The webinar, in which more than 35 journalists from different Yemeni governorates participated, focused on peace journalism and the essential ethic principles which underpin peace journalism as well as the good practices that peace journalism can play.
During the webinar, the professor Steven presented a presentation about peace journalism and its importance especially in conflict areas. Steven pointed out that Peace Journalism is working on reducing conflict intensity, building bridges and delivering the voices of weak parties that are usually absent in conflicts. Also, he has pointed out that the journalist’s role during conflicts is presenting accurate, fair news and good reports that often mitigate conflict.
In addition, Mr. Steven has clarified that one of peace journalism’s features is to encourage dialogue before violence occurs and working on the common lands between conflicting parties. And the peace journalists should reject the propaganda from any party and seek to get realistic and balanced information from various sources. Also, journalists should avoid inflammatory words or those that may increase violence and choose their words carefully.
Also, one of peace journalism practices, according to Mr. Steven is reporting the invisible reasons and effects of conflicts to show the implications of the continuation of conflicts, and it provides a space for peace voices from all the parties during and after the conflict.
On the other hand, Mr. Steven has provided advice to Yemeni journalists who participated in the webinar, and presented templates of peace journalism and practices that can be taken through journalism for promoting peace and conciliation.
The webinar had a fruitful discussion between participating journalists and Professor Steven, as well as responding to participants’ questions. Participants were grateful for organizing such webinars, which contribute in developing the capacities of Yemeni journalists.
At the end of the webinar, Mr. Mohammed Ismail has pointed out that the webinar comes within a series of upcoming webinars that aim at discussing the peace journalism reality in Yemen, and presenting international success experiences in this field for Yemeni journalists.
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