Role of Media Coverage in International Conflict Management: the Case Study of 2007-08 Post-election Violence in Kenya

Abstract

Around the world the major role of media in conflict has been an issue. Media has a lot of influence around the world and has a tremendous role in conflicts and conflict management. The main aim of this study was to analyze the role of media in mediating conflict management, with reference to 2007/08 Post-Election Violence in Kenya. The specific objectives were to develop the media availability level as well as the distinctive sorts of media coverage; to establish how much media elevated or conceivably deescalated brutality amid the 2007/2008 Post Election Violence; to regulate how media could impact chose human elements towards strife in the Country. Social responsibility theory of media reportage was analyzed to explain media roles and to develop the conceptual framework. An unmistakable research plan and arbitrary stratified inspecting strategy with a specimen size of 100 respondents was utilized. Essential information was acquired by means of polls and inside and out meetings broke down and exhibited in tables, diagrams and charts with a concise portrayal from there on. The investigation discovered that media played both clash heightening and de-acceleration parts amid 2007/08 Post-Election Violence. A share of the undesirable media portions incorporates empowering abhor discourse, running parallel counting focuses, deception of data, and instigation. Some positive parts incorporate metro training, addressing peace, the sensible extent of political campaigns, and sensible extent of unpalatable issues amid peace exchanges. The investigation found that media altogether affected individuals in view of age factor; very impacted individuals considering sexual orientation factor; and modestly affected individuals in view of status and home elements. In any case, media has a low impact on individuals considering religious factor. The investigation prescribes stringent measures for negative news-casting while at the same time featuring the benefits of peace news-casting. A portion of the stringent measures suggested by the examination incorporate the appropriation of a typical approach in strife announcing, the planning and requirement of stringent directions towards the control of vernacular FM stations, journalists to undergo training on conflict reporting, the developing a standard reporting procedure, encourage media to report accurate and verified official electoral body results, and conflict reports to cut across all listeners without targeting groups.