Advocacy

Peace Journalism

In an era whereby almost every news organization has a war correspondent and virtually none has a peace correspondent, CMPI fills the void to initiate a movement to promote a conflict-resolving media practice, dialogue, and peace building around the world. CMPI explores the power of information as the lifeblood of democracy. In all constitutional democracies, the media plays the role of watchdog, educator, and convener of the public square. The center recognizes that information is a catalyst and an equivocator, which can cause war and at the same time bring about peace. Information as carried by the mass media is a commodity that requires processing and the quality of processing has consequences for peace or conflict. The modern mass media is a platform or court of public opinion where disputants—individuals, groups, and organizations file complaints who even before going to the courts of law. Consequently, we encourage the use of the news media as instruments to communicate peace.