Media in central African conflicts: a difficult choice between impartiality and propaganda
Information has become a powerful weapon that can be manipulated during times of conflict. This was seen again in central Africa between 1993 and 1994, as revealed by Sylvie Niombo of APC-Africa-Women in her analysis of the work, The media and conflicts in Central Africa, edited by Marie-Soleil Frère and published in 2007 by the Panos Institute of Paris.
In summary, the book The media and conflicts in central Africa has the merit of providing detailed information on the role of the media in times of conflict and social crisis, and identifying deterrents to freedom of expression. In this latest search for professionalism, journalists need support to redress the situation. The public, tired of partisan and extremist media, tend much more towards impartial and “messianic” types of media, supposed to restore hope. However, our analysis of the book showed up insufficient information on the electronic press. A single case of action against the electronic press was mentioned in the book. Then, the influence of numerous partisan websites, which have been created especially by those in exile or the diaspora, whose reality is not covered by the book.
Are male and female journalists affected differently by repression and conflicts? Is there a feminist press in times of conflict? What are the weaknesses of women’s professional associations? With regard to the contribution by international organisations to the media sector, have there been any gender considerations? These are interesting issues which could have been looked into.
