Course: MAC 416 Media and Conflict Reporting (2 credits. Regular)
Course Duration: Two Hours per week for 15 weeks (30 hours) as taught in the 2011/2012
session.
Lecturer: Adisa R. M.
M.Sc Mass Communication (Lagos)
B.Sc Mass Communication (Kano)
PGDE (NTI Kaduna)
Advanced Digital Appreciation Program-Tertiary (ADAPT) Training, NCC, Abuja
Member: NIPR, ACCE
Department of Mass Communication
Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
E-mail:
adisarasaqm@yahoo.com,
adisa.rm@unilorin.edu.ng
Office Location: First Floor, Room 3, Educational Technology Building,
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Consultation Hours: 10.00 am -12 noon (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Course Contents
Nature of conflict, dynamics of violent conflicts, causes of conflict, stages of conflict, conflict
analysis framework, the power of the media, role of media in escalation of conflict, news as
source of conflict, theoretical perspectives, conflict analysis for journalists, things to consider
when covering conflict, issues and challenges involve in conflict reporting and safety for
journalist covering conflict.
Course description
The course provides a general understanding of conflict and the role of media in conflict
resolution or escalation. The course covers different theoretical approaches to understanding the
source, nature and categories of conflict.
Course Justification
The right of all to freely inform the public and to be informed is absolute, however, journalists
do this with great risk especially when gathering information in conflict situation. Therefore, the
strategies and rules require for successful coverage are important for all prospective Journalists.
Course Objectives
On completion of this course, the student should:
1. Be able to examine the roots and consequences of conflict;
2. Understand the power of the media in conflict escalation;
3. Be able to understand and apply relevant theories to conflict situation;
4. Be able to identify things to consider when covering conflict.
Course Requirements
Participants in the course are required to:
1. A minimum of 75% attendance qualifies students for writing the end of semester
examination in this course;
2. All written assignments and feature stories must be word processed;
3. Deadline must be strictly observed. Late assignments will attract penalties;
4. Each student is expected to have a yahoo e-mail account, join and participate in the
course’s online discussion group.
Methods of Grading
Performance in the course will be graded using the guidelines in the table below.
Criterion
Percentage Score of Total Marks
Test
10
Assignment/Project
15
Participation in online discussion group
5
Final Examination
70
Total
100
Course Delivery Strategies
The main method of course delivery is face-to-face lectures, discussions, small group exercises
and joining and participating in online group discussion.
Lecture Contents
Week 1: Nature of Conflict
Objective
The objectives of this week lecture are to explain the meaning and nature of conflict. To do this,
various definitions and examples of conflict will be discussed.
Description
First Hour
Definition of conflict.
Second hour
Nature of conflict
History of conflict in Nigeria.
Study Questions
1. Give five definitions of conflict.
2. Trace the history of conflict in Nigeria
3. Describe the nature of conflict in Nigeria.
4. Describe the nature of conflict in other African countries.
5. List ten ongoing conflicts in Africa.
Reading List
1. Ho-Won3, 4, 3, J. (2008). Understanding Conflict and Conflict Analysis. London: Sage, p.
2. ISBN 978-1-4129-0308-0
2. Jones 4, M. and. Fabian A. C. (2006). Conflict: The Darwin College Lectures.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 3. ɪsʙɴ-13 978-0-511-13979-6.
3. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia3 (2010). Meaning of Conflict. Available: http://en.
wikipedia.org/wiki/conflict meaning.
Week 2: Causes of Conflict
Objective
Students will be acquainted with what usually cause conflict in Nigeria and other part of the
world.
Description
First Hour
The roles of religion, ethnic, politics, natural resources etc in conflicts in Nigeria.
Second hour
Stages of conflict
Study questions
1. Identify the cause of Jos, Boko Haram and Niger Delta conflicts in Nigeria.
2. How will you describe the stage of Niger Delta conflict in the year 2011?
3. What stage is Boko Haram conflict between January and September 2011?
4. How genuine are the claimed cause of conflicts in Nigeria?
5. What is the cause of Rwanda conflict?
Assignment
Analyze, with dates, the stages of Niger Delta conflict from the beginning.
Reading List
1. Ho-Won3, 4, J. (2008). Understanding Conflict and Conflict Analysis. London: Sage, pp 49. ISBN 978-1-4129-0308-0.
2. Jones4 , M. and. Fabian A. C. (2006). Conflict: The Darwin College Lectures.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp 5-10. ɪsʙɴ-13 978-0-511-13979-6.
3. LeBaron3, 4, M. and Pillay V. (2006). Conflict across cultures: a unique experience of
bridging differences. London: Intercultural Press, Pp. 11-19. ISBN-10: 1-931930-22-8.
Weeks 3 and 4: Conflict Analysis Framework
Objectives
The main objectives of this week are to enable students understand conflicts from the
perspectives of types of parties and issues. Also, to explain differing degrees of complexity in
conflict situations and outcome.
Description
First Hour in Week 3
Focus and elements of analysis
Second Hour in Week 3
Parties, Goals, Issues and Interests involve in conflict.
First Hour in Week 4
Conflict Situations and Behaviour
Second Hour in Week 4
Socio-psychological approaches to conflict
Study questions
1. Identify key actors in Jos, Niger Delta conflicts.
2. Analyze the actors from the following perspectives; interests, and values.
3. What are the key determinants of conflict behavior?
4. Explain the elements for analyzes of conflict.
5. Identify issues at the front burner of Jos conflict.
6. What will you identify as the major interests of Boko Haram militants?
7. What is your source of the facts?
8. Proffer solutions to Boko Haram conflict.
9. Proffer solutions to the protracted Jos conflict.
10. Describe socio-psychological approaches to conflict.
Reading Lists
1. Ho-Won3, 4, J. (2008). Understanding Conflict and Conflict Analysis. London: Sage, pp.
20-26. ISBN 978-1-4129-0308-0.
2. Jones 4, M. and. Fabian A. C. (2006). Conflict: The Darwin College Lectures.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 15- 24. ɪsʙɴ-13 978-0-511-13979-6.
3. Jussim3, 4, L., Ashmore, R. D., and Wilder D. (2001). Social Identity, Intergroup
Conflict, and Conflict Reduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 3-7. ISBN 0-19513742-6; 0-19-513743-4
Week 5: Power of the Media
Objectives
The objectives of this week lecture are to appraise the power and influence of mass media in
relation to emergence of conflict in some African countries such as Rwanda, Serbia and others.
Description
First Hour
Description and history of Rwanda and Serbia
Second Hour
Influence of media in the Rwanda genocide.
Media manipulation of Serbia war.
Study Questions
1. Describe how radio was used to lay the groundwork for genocide in Rwanda.
2. How did television influence and stir up war in Serbia?
3. Describe tribal set up of Rwanda before the conflict.
4. How did the media manipulate Serbia war?
5. What was the main cause of Rwanda conflict?
Reading Lists
1. Caplan3, G. (2001). Rwanda: Walking the Road to Genocide. In Thompson A. (ed.) The
Media and the Rwanda Genocide. London: Pluto Press, pp. 20-26. ISBN-10 0 7453 2626
9.
2. Thompson3, A. (2001). The Media and the Rwanda Genocide. London: Pluto Press, pp. 110. ISBN-10 0 7453 2626 9.
Week 6: News as source of conflict
Objectives
Student will be acquainted with the series of unconscious roles of journalists, through news
stories, that prop up conflict. Also, the best way to gather and present accurate and impartial
news is part of the task for this week.
Description
First Hour
Journalism’s unconscious roles.
Second Hour
News sources in conflict news gathering
Attribution of sources
Study questions
1. What are elements of conflict resolution that good journalism can deliver, automatically,
as part of its daily work?
2. Why is it important for Journalists to seek out other parties and other points of view while
gathering facts for story?
3. State different ways of attributing sources.
Reading List
1. Adisa, 4 R. M. (2003). News writing and Reporting: A Step-by-Step Approach. Osogbo:
Voice Publication, pp. 106-108. ISBN: 978-31581-4-3.
2. Howard4, R. (2003). Conflict sensitive journalism. Canada: Impacts, pp. 10. ISBN 87989502-0-7
Week 7: Theoretical perspectives
Objectives
The objectives of this week lecture are to apply different theories to the situation of conflict. To
do this, the class will identify through theories, possible conflict behaviuor, so that we would be
to able to explain why a particular conflict exist.
Description
First Hour
Rationality of Theory of Conflict behavior
Second Hour
Agenda Setting Theory
Second Level Agenda Setting Theory
Framing Theory
Study questions
1. Describe conflict behavior theory’s proposition.
2. Examine conflict behavior theory’s relevance to Jos and Boko Haram conflicts.
3. Define framing theory and explain how journalists frame news story about conflict.
4. What is agenda setting theory?
Reading List
1. Bartos4, O. and Wehr P. (2002). Using Conflict Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, pp.7-10. ISBN O521 791162.
Weeks 8-9: Things to consider when covering conflict
Objective
These weeks, students will be taught the full effects of conflict on different constituency groups,
how to avoiding bias in reporting conflict, how to reflect conflict’s plurality and how to avoid
use of extreme language.
Description
First hour in week 8
Effects of conflict on the society
Second hour in week 8
Reflecting conflict plurality
First hour in week 9
Extreme language in conflict reporting
Second hour in week 9
Implication of use of extreme language
Study Questions
1. How will you describe the effect of conflict in Jos and Bornu State on the
socioeconomics of the citizens?
2. List the areas of bias in news reporting.
3. Describe how partiality comes into the report about conflict.
4. Uncontrolled languages from the media contribute to the conflict, explain
5. What are the implications of extreme language often used by the media?
Reading List
1. Webel, 4 C. and Galtung J. (2007). Handbook of Peace and Conflict Studies. Canada:
Routledge
2. Adisa, 4 R. M. (2003). News writing and Reporting: A Step-by-Step Approach. Osogbo:
Voice Publication, pp. 106-108. ISBN: 978-31581-4-3.
3. Howard4, R. (2003). Conflict sensitive journalism. Canada: Impacts, pp. 10. ISBN 87989502-0-7.
Weeks 10-11: Bias in conflict reporting
Objectives
The objectives of these weeks are to acquaint students with the ways and methods of bias by
journalists and news producers. Also to scrutinize newspapers, television and radio for deliberate
slanting of news.
Description
First hour in week 10
Definition of media bias
Detecting Bias in the News
First hour in week 10
Bias through selection and omission
Bias through placement
Bias by headline
First hour in week 11
Bias by photos, captions and camera angles
Bias by source control
Bias through statistics and crowd counts
Second hour in week 11
Locating bias in newspapers and television
Study Questions
1. Define bias.
2. What is bias in relation to news coverage?
3. Explain how to detect bias in the news
4. How can Journalists avoid bias in the coverage of conflict news?
5. Identify bias in headlines and photos in an edition of a newspaper.
6. Describe bias by source control.
7. How does the bias through captions and camera angles occure?
8. Bias by headline is what?
Reading List
1. Adisa, 4 R. M. (2003). News writing and Reporting: A Step-by-Step Approach. Osogbo:
Voice Publication, pp. 106-108. ISBN: 978-31581-4-3.
2. Editions of Nigerian Newspapers and Magazines3
3. Wikipedia,
the
free
encyclopedia3
(2008).
Media
Bias.
Available:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/media bias
Weeks 12 and 13: Issues and challenges involve in conflict reporting
Objectives
The objectives of student learning in weeks 12 and 13 will focus on the examination of the
involvement of various stake holders in the emergence, escalation and resolution of conflict.
Description
First Hour in Week 12
The roles of government and the law
Legal instrument that will empower and enable Journalists to have access to official information
during crisis situations
Second Hour in Week 12
The roles of media owners before and during conflict
Resources, equipment and insurance cover for journalists covering potentially hazardous
assignments
First Hour in Week 13
The roles of editors and reporters in conflict situation
Principle of fairness and accuracy
Sensationalism in casting headlines of crisis reports
Editorial independence
Second Hour in Week 13
The roles of media organizations
Mechanism for enforcing the code of conduct for journalists in conflict coverage
Study Questions
1. List the stake holders involve in ensuring proper coverage of conflict.
2. Explain the challenges as well as the roles of various stake holders in a society engulfed
in conflict.
3. What are the roles of government and the law in conflict?
4. What are the legal instrument for journalist
5. Describe, with examples, sensationalism headlines of conflict stories.
6. Who should enforce editorial independence in the reportage of conflict?
7. What are the roles of editor and reporter in conflict?
8. State the code of conduct for journalists.
Reading List
1. UNESCO 4 (2006). Handbook for Journalists. France: UNESCO, pp. 93- 98.
2. Reuters 4 (2006). Reporters Handbooks. London: Reuters Limited pp. 23 ISBN: 1629601-06
Week 14: Safety of Journalists Covering Conflicts
Objectives
The main objectives of this week are to enable students understand safety guidelines require
when covering demonstrations that could turn violent or when involve in covering armed
conflicts.
Description
First Hour
Charter for the safety of Journalists in war zones
Second Hour
Basic rules for Journalists in conflict assignment
Physical safety of journalists
Study Questions
1. State the international law provisions for the protection of Journalist
2. If you are involved in covering armed conflicts, what are the basic rules to follow?
3. Describe the charter for the safety of journalist.
4. List the basic rules for journalist covering conflict.
5. What are the physical safety precautions for journalists?
Reading List
UNESCO 4 (2006) Handbook for Journalists. France: UNESCO, pp. 93- 98.
Reuters 4 (2006) Reporters Handbooks. London: Reuters Limited pp. 23 ISBN: 16296-01-06
Week 15: Revision
Objectives
Students would be expected to seek for clarification and more explanation on any difficult topic
treated between weeks 1-14.
Revision questions
1. Give five definitions of conflict.
2. Trace the history of conflict in Nigeria
3. How will you describe the stage of Niger Delta conflict in the year 2011?
4. What are the key determinants of conflict behavior?
5. Why is it important for Journalists to seek out other parties and other points of view while
gathering facts for story?
6. Examine conflict behavior theory’s relevance to Jos and Boko Haram conflicts.
7. List the areas of bias in news reporting.
8. How can Journalists avoid bias in the coverage of conflict news?
9. Identify bias in headlines and photos in an edition of a newspaper.
10. Explain the challenges as well as the roles of various stake holders in a society engulfed
in conflict.
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KEY
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