| dc.description.abstract | This research study was undertaken to assess the role of print media, in particular newspapers, in conflict resolution and peace building in Somaliland, a self governing entity in the North of greater Somalia. The study was guided by the main objective which was to assess the impact of print media . in conflict resolution and peace building in Somaliland. The study reviewed print media based in Somaliland over a five year period (2006 - 2011) and was based on a review of two major newspapers printed during that duration as well as secondary literature and an interview schedule which was administered to readers of Jamhuriiya and Hatuuf newspapers based in Hargeisa (the capital city of Somaliland) and Burao (the main administrative city of Togdheer Region). The purpose of this study was to investigate and record the impact that the print media in Somaliland has had in resolving long running conflicts and fostering reconciliation efforts between warring clans thereby fostering peace in an otherwise volatile region.
The study was guided by Media Effects Theories and in particular the Agenda Setting Theory and the Media Framing Theory. Agenda Setting Theory by McCombs and Shaw (1972) states that the mass media creates what the public thinks is important and therefore shapes public opinion and in the case of the selected newspapers in Somaliland this agenda setting was done through repetition of events, interpretation and analysis, slants and editorial pieces. The Media Framing Theory by Klapper (1960) postulates that media focuses attention on certain events and then places them within a field of meaning. Simply put, the theory states that the media determine and decide what people think about, and in the case of Somaliland, the media determined issues on conflict and peace building for its audience. The Conceptual Framework for the study was adapted from Berlo's (1960) SourceMessage-Channel-Receiver (S-M-C-R) Model of Communication. The model placed emphasis on two main elements of communication - the message and the receiver - and in the Somaliland case, the message is conflict and peace building while the receiver is the general public - who are vital in ensuring peace prevails in the Country.
The basic method that was used in this study was that of secondary data content analysis. In this method, most often used to describe events or process in society, the researcher is not responsible for the collection of the original data. The researcher used purposive selective sampling based on circulation levels of newspapers in Somali land to choose the newspaper samples for content analysis. Content analysis helped the researcher to identify, enumerate, and analyse occurrences of information on conflict resolution in Somaliland embedded in communication articles of Jamhuriiya and Hatuuf newspapers.
The population for this study was approximately 2,000 newspaper issues, based on a collection of the weekly and daily publications of Jamhuriiya and Hatuuf over a five year period (2006 - 2011). Interviews were conducted as a follow up to the content analysis. Interviews were held with readers of these newspapers based in Hargeisa (the capital city of Somaliland) and Burao (the main administrative city of Togdheer Region). A quota sampling technique, Purposive or Judgmental sampling, was used in this study to choose the sample, since interviews were merely supplementing the main research method of content analysis.
After tabulating, analysing and discussing the data, the study established that the print media has a role to play in challenging and advising the Government of Somaliland and the general public on the importance of peace building and conflict resolution mechanisms, by prominently publishing information on escalating conflict in South Central Somalia, peaceful means of resolving conflict, and related issues. The results of the study will be documented for future studies and for reference.
Based on findings from the study, a number of recommendations were proposed including the need for various print media actors in Somaliland to balance their need for financial viability with their informative and educational responsibilities; need for the print media to observe objectivity in their reporting and to represent the diversity of viewpoints and experiences from within the society, and, respect cultural and religious norms and avoid anything that is offensive to the Islamic faith or to specific clans and should also be sensitive in its treatment of issues that could instigate division and unrest among the communities of Somaliland.
Moreover, the various print media actors should be aware of their importance during the democratisation process of Somaliland, and strive to play a constructive role. In addition, there should be a permanent consultative mechanism between the government and the print media. The print media should give special emphasis to the promotion of peace and development in the country and should also explore ways of providing greater coverage of issues pertaining to health, education, economy, youth, women and education issues. In addition, the print media should continue playing a greater educational role and should contribute to transparency, accountability and efficiency of government by monitoring the government's collection, management and expenditure of public funds and should also keep abreast of foreign aid and monitor how it is used. | en_US |
