Always be balanced in conflict-sensitive reporting, Journalists urged

Journalists from online media houses have been urged to always strike a balance when performing their duties, especially when reporting conflict sensitive issues.

Speaking during a training facilitated by the Zimbabwe Online Content Creators (ZOCC) on the 16th of September ran under the theme ‘Conflict Sensitive Reporting Training: Debunking Disinformation on Covid-19’, the Centre for Conflict Management Trust (CCMT) representative Richard Chere taught journalists on how to address the misinformation surrounding Covid 19 pandemic.

“What is currently obtaining in this Covid-19 pandemic is that there is actually lack of knowledge on the virus this is because of disinformation, misinformation, and mal-information

“This is why conflict-sensitive reporting becomes key for journalists to reflect and inquire on available information to strike balance in their reportage,” said CCMT’s Richard Chere.

CCMT representative further taught media practitioners to consider the other party involved in a conflict, the type of words to use when reporting for conflicts and to analyze their stories before publishing.

“Journalists should consider the other part involved when reporting about conflicts.

“…it is however critical to analyze their stories before they are published,” said Chere.

He further highlighted that, journalists need to also consider strategies like profiling peace–makers or key people in the process of practicing conflict-sensitive reporting.

“Journalists should consider the following strategies when practicing conflict-sensitive reporting; profiling peace-makers or key people in the process, joint interviews, exchanging questions, asking the same questions of all parties, helping people understand each other’s values, broadening the search for solutions, avoid labeling and watch the language.”