Issue 46 Vol II, August 31, 2007

E D I T O R I A L

Media as Peacemaker and Poverty Eradicator

Should journalists be peacemakers in conflict situations and is this kind of role legitimate and in line with their calling? The question has been raised ever since South Asia Free Media Association or SAFMA, a regional grouping of media persons started playing an active role six years back. They have brought together parliamentarians of different hues and even businessmen in their meetings in Islamabad, Delhi, Kabul, Shimla, and Dhaka, Lahore and Chandigarh etc. It is true that most of which the political class agreed has not fructified. Even free movement of journalists on selective basis, though agreed has not been honoured. Yet some claim to building bridges of confidence for peace and prosperity is in order.

The SAFMA recently on August 18 and 19 collected over 250 journalists from eight countries in Colombo for a high profile conference, ‘Media, Peace and Poverty Alleviation in South Asia’. All countries of the SARCC; India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives were reasonably represented for the first time.

On the final day when the  two page Colombo Declaration was being adopted, Sri Lankan foreign minister Rohitha   Bogollagam and senior opposition leader Lakshman Kiriella were present and presented two contrasting viewpoints regarding the ongoing ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka  which has claimed over 60,000 innocent lives during the past two decades or so. This on going violence between the government of Sri Lanka and LTTE is a reason for the poverty of the people of that rich and beautiful inland nation where nature has been kind and the politicians hurtful and harsh. It was resolved after some debate that “The parties to conflict in Sri Lanka are urged to restore the ceasefire, we also urge India, an immediate neighbouring power, to actively support efforts for lasting negotiated political settlement. The Muslim community in the north eastern provinces of Sri Lanka should be given equal stakeholder status in all future peace related activities. This would pave the way for a durable solution.” Why ambiguity was allowed by not mentioning clearly the name of LTTE, the main party to the conflict which could not be represented t remains unexplained. Yet the resolution sent a message to both the government and the LTTE, besides India that only a negotiated settlement among all the parties could usher in peace. Violence would lead to more bloodshed and increase the burden of poverty.

The Colombo Declaration was unambiguous on both the issues, the resolution of conflicts and removal of poverty in other areas like Afghanistan and Nepal, besides Maldives. It “condemned terrorist’s attacks against innocent people wherever they occur, whoever be the sponsor and under whatever pretext and rejected violence as means by the parties to a conflict... The people and the government should join hands against the scourge of terrorism and violence while addressing the genuine aspirations and causes giving birth to dissatisfaction.” It also “mourned the death of journalists while performing their professional duties in the conflict or crime ridden areas and condemned various punitive measures by the state and non–state actors to muzzle the media freedom.”  SAFMA also urged for South Asian human security with focus on people and their welfare.

There should have been more debate among the journalists how really to go about devoting more space and time to the twin issues of poverty and conflict. How many television networks, radio stations and newspapers really dedicate resources and focus on these central issues? Workshops are in order for the future to sensitise and prepare journalists for this task.

This SAFMA conference, sixth in the series offered two distinct advantages to the journalists. They could listen to the politicians and scholars like Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus debate the issues of poverty and violence and enhance their understanding. There was some reasoned introspection of the state of media in south Asia offered by experienced and sensitive journalists themselves. The conference offered an ample opportunity to the participants to know fellow journalists from eight countries and understand the issue and the problems which the media in 21st century faces. Is improved understanding not a way to fight prejudices, remove the boundaries of shallow nationalism and understand and focus on conflict resolution and poverty. Shorn of ill will and prejudices, this regional grouping could be a powerful platform to mould public opinion.

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