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Speaking at a press briefing and prize giving ceremony in Lusaka on November 18, NAPS Africa coordinator, Rinos Simbulo said the media was a double edged sword, which could be used as a weapon of violence if manipulated.

He said that the media can play a critical role in either perpetuating conflict or consolidating peace.

“ The media can be an instrument of conflict resolution when the information it presents is reliable, respects human rights and represents diverse views,” Simbulo said.

Simbulo added that the media could be a tool in peace building and democratic development through exposing abuses, proving and sharing information and serving as an outlet for different opinions and perspectives.

He urged the media to desist from being partisan and avoid giving prominence to political parties and individuals using inflammatory language and statements that border on personal attacks, insults and innuendoes at the expense of real issues.

“ Peace is not likely to emerge until the parties in conflict find ways to act on the basis of shared interest and concerns. A media that focuses on major disagreements between parties may be a source of conflict, but a media that shows areas of commonalities among the parties is more likely to advance the cause of peace,” Simbulo observed.

He said that in the post election period the media should focus on asking questions about the promises which were being made during the campaigns.

Rashweat Mukundu
Programme Specialist: Media Freedom Monitoring
MISA Regional Secretariat
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek, Namibia
Tel: + 264 61 232 975
Fax:+264 61 248016
Mobile: 00 264 813 675 362
E mail rashweat@misa.org, misaalerts@gmail.com

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