In what is presently described as the age of information, reports on something happening in any corner of the world do not take long to reach the opposite corner. Information flow has attained such remarkable pace and sophisticated networks that shaping up opinions has become much easier. With the media now considered as the fourth estate, its prowess has undoubtedly been proven to shape the outcome and direction of courses of action. Society this week deals with media reports on religious conflicts and their impacts.

Handle with care

With democratic values considered a necessity these days, the exercise of a free press is held up high as a virtuous act. Governments all around the world, especially those in the developing world, are urged to let the press act on its own will and refrain from censorship. Though it sounds tobe generally good to discuss and deliberate on various social, economic and political issues, some argue that there are issues that would rather not be raised by the media. Do religious conflicts constitute this group of issues?
One side of this argument is that the coverage and analysis of religious conflicts by the media helps create awareness about sources, manifestations and ways of solving religious conflicts. A detailed report on the root causes of a certain religious conflict with expert opinion on potential resolution mechanisms helps people in other regions prevent such conditions in their own localities besides urging concerned authorities act on time by giving the matter the due attention that it deserves. Therefore, people with this view support media coverage of religious conflicts.
The other point of view is that reporting on religious conflicts by the media incites more conflict elsewhere as followers of the respective religious sects opt to stand along with their fellow worshipers. People with this view contend that the reporting creates tension in areas where something short of a conflict happens. This is to say that people in other areas stay wary of what the moves of followers of a certain religious sect are, and try to make themselves prepared for the worst.
As something driven by dogma and faith, religious conflicts may nearly be irrational. One’s motivation to take part in the conflict may not be reasonable but people somehow get the feeling that it has to do with them for the mere reason that they are followers of that religion.
Though it is hard to say that the media should not report on religious conflicts for the advantages mentioned above by proponents of the idea, reporting on the issue requires utmost care as the issue is very sensitive. A consideration of the media’s role to enhance social development and harmony also entails that the issue be objectively reported on with a vision of resolving the social problem.

Do you think the media should extensively report on religious conflicts?

I think the media should report on religious conflicts extensively as informing the public is its main duty. Reports on religious conflicts fall under the domain of activities the media should carry out.

Anteneh Hailu, shop keeper

I would say the media should only report on religious conflicts on a need to know basis. An extensive report could probably give out the facts involved and pin fingers at one of the two sides involved pushing others to retaliate for the harm that they think has been inflicted on their fellow worshipers. Therefore, the reporting should be short and not in depth.

Kassu Bezabeh, teacher

Turning one’s back to concrete problems does not help solve the problem, what it would probably do is exacerbate it. Therefore, the media should extensively report on the causes, casualties and measures taken to resolve the issue because that would help resolve the problem

Kirubel Gulelat, A.A.U student

Reporting on the acts of a few people might promote the issue instead of solving the problem, therefore the media should be very considerate as to what kind of religious conflicts it has to report on.

Zebiba Mohammed, nurse