Abstract

AWOBAMISE, Ayodeji; JARRAR, Yosra  and  OWADE, Joan. An analysis of media reportage of conflict during the 2007, 2013 and 2017 in Kenyan presidential elections: a peace journalism approach. Universidad y Sociedad [online]. 2020, vol.12, n.2, pp. 184-191.  Epub Apr 02, 2020. ISSN 2218-3620.

This study investigates the role the media play in conflict management and particularly focuses on identifying the approach adopted by the media when reporting electoral conflicts during the 2007, 2013 and 2017 in presidential elections in Kenya. The study was hinged upon the Peace Journalism model first proposed by Johanne Galtung and progressed by Lynch and McGoldrick. The model basically identifies two broad approaches and several indicators under each approach that the media can adopt when reporting conflict. Using a combination of methods- content analysis and in-depth interviews, the researchers critically analyzed 360 media reports from 2007, 2013 and 2017 electoral periods and interviewed a number of key stakeholders that could shed light on the issues being discussed. The findings showed that media houses in Kenya adopted the war journalism approach in 2007 and gradually shifted to the peace journalism approach by 2017. The findings also showed a correlation between the reduction in violent incidence and the media approach to reporting conflict during the periods under review. This study recommends that future studies seek to find out how other factors such as demographics, government interference and socio-economic status of individuals moderate the influence of media on conflict escalation or de-escaltion.

Keywords : Conflict management; Peace building; Media; Peace Journalism; War Journalism; Communication.

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