Chapter 5 - Intervening in conflict-affected areas

Peace and security architecture: the private sector and the media

The private sector

Much of the research about the private sector in conflict zones highlights ‘war economies’ – illicit and semi-illicit natural resource exploitation, trade as a means of financing wars, and how profit-seeking business activities contribute to the perpetuation of violence (see the resource and environmental factors section of this guide). Less attention has been given to the role of the private sector in peacebuilding.

Private sector actors have various motivations to engage in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Violent conflict and instability have a big negative impact on the private sector through decreased investment and access to markets, damaged infrastructure, direct attack, loss of employees, and general costs related to the unpredictability of operating in a conflict environment. In addition to this economic rationale, there is a moral imperative for local business. They form part of the social fabric of a conflict context and experience the trauma and destruction it brings to their own families and communities.

There are multiple ways in which private sector actors can contribute to peacebuilding. These may relate to economic dimensions (e.g. job creation, addressing socioeconomic exclusion); security (e.g. participation in DDR processes; negotiating security with armed groups); reconciliation (participation in dialogue initiatives; joint economic activities across conflict-divides); and political dimensions (e.g. peace advocacy and lobbying; participation in multi-stakeholder political peace-processes).

In order to maximise these potential contributions, there needs to be a more balanced portrayal of the role of the private sector; greater exploration of the various positive roles that private sector actors can play; and better two-way engagement and learning between the NGO community and the corporate sector.

International Alert, 2006, ‘Local Business, Local Peace: The Peacebuilding Potential of the Domestic Private Sector’, International Alert, London
What role can the domestic private sector play in peacebuilding? This report assembles evidence from numerous case studies to demonstrate that local businesses can contribute to peacebuilding. It argues that the international community should embrace the potential of this ‘peace entrepreneurship’ to provide necessary resources and skills for the promotion of sustainable peace.
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Rettberg, A., 2004, ‘Business-Led Peacebuilding in Colombia: Fad or Future of a Country in Crisis?’, Crisis States Research Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science, London
The private sector has often been accused of fuelling armed conflict, but what motivates business-led peace building? What explains business preferences for peaceful solutions at the local level? This paper looks at four business initiatives in Columbia that are leading peace building initiatives and mitigating the effects of conflict. It asks what motivated them to become involved in business led peace building with a view to understanding the wider prospects for business to become a partner in peace building, whilst also pointing out potential limits and obstacles to this.
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Killick, N., Srikantha, V.S., and Gündüz, C., 2005, ‘The Role of Local Business in Peacebuilding’, Berghof Research Centre for Constructive Conflict Management, Berlin
What peacebuilding role can local business play? Who can partner with business in the interest of peace? This paper explores how to engage local business and with whom it is likely to succeed. Awareness raising, further research to identify peacebuilding roles and implementation of practical initiatives would strengthen the use of local business as peacebuilders.
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Zandvliet, L., 2005, ‘Opportunities for Synergy - Conflict Transformation and the Corporate Agenda’, Berghof Research Centre for Constructive Conflict Management, Berlin
What is the role of business within conflict transformation? Why do companies and conflict transformation advocates have difficulty hearing each other within this debate? This paper argues that there is significant overlap between the corporate and conflict transformation community. However, both parties focus on their differences, rather than mutual interests. Collaboration is required between stakeholders, and the obstacles impeding constructive dialogue have to be removed.
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For further resources on the role of the private sector, see the socioeconomic recovery section of this guide.

The media

Similarly to the case of the private sector, much of the research about the role of media in conflict zones highlights negative aspects – its use as a tool to spread propaganda, indoctrinate, dehumanise and mobilise populations into acts of violence, including collective violence. Yet, in recent years, there has been increasing attention to the positive role that media can play in conflict contexts. This has been matched by increasing donor and NGO interventions in conflict-affected societies to promote the development of independent, pluralistic, and sustainable media to foster long-term peace and stability. Media strategies have included: raising the profile of moderate voices; creating peaceful channels through which differences can be resolved non-violently; and creating a robust media culture that allows citizens to hold government accountable. Activities have ranged from training to provision of equipment; from launching media regulation initiatives to enhancing professional associations; and from supporting individual media to transforming former state radios into public service broadcasters.

It is important to distinguish between support for independent mass media in their role of providing society with a full account of relevant topics, including background and context, and the communication efforts done by peace promoters via the media amongst other channels. Support to mass media has to ensure that the media does not follow any hidden agenda as this is the main source of their credibility, whereas communication activities can target media with tailored information.

Thus, there are various ways the media can play a role in conflict prevention, conflict management and peacebuilding. Various media channels can act as peace promoters, for example, at the start of negotiations in order to build confidence and create a climate conducive to negotiation. The media might also mobilise public support for peace agreements when media reporting is done in a balanced and comprehensive way. Media may have the potential to contribute to conflict transformation and peacebuilding as well by countering stereotypes and misconceptions, promoting empathy and depolarising attitudes by portraying similarities with the ‘other’, and facilitating dialogue and understanding.

More research is required to determine what is required for media to make a sustainable positive contribution. There should also be greater collaboration between the media and peace professionals. Conflict prevention and peacebuilding professionals can use the media in conjunction with their other programming – and need assistance in determining how they can combine these interventions to have the biggest impact. Media professionals also need to learn about why and when their work can contribute to preventing violent conflict and building peace between groups.

Bajraktari, Y. and Hsu, E., 2007, ‘Developing Media in Stabilisation and Reconstruction Operations’, United States Institute of Peace, Washington, DC
What strategies, tool and methods work best in the development of post-war media institutions? In war-torn societies, the development of independent, pluralistic, and sustainable media is critical to fostering long-term peace and stability. This report aims to provide guidance by drawing on best practices from past and present post-war media development efforts. A permanent, indigenous mechanism dedicated to monitoring media development is critical to fostering a healthy, independent media sector. It is particularly important to monitor hate speech.
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Spurk, C., 2002, ‘Media and Peacebuilding: Concepts, Actors and Challenges’, Swisspeace, Bern
How can media support peacebuilding? Media have played a destructive role in many conflicts; but media programming can also play a positive role, particularly when integrated into an overarching peacebuilding strategy. Free and independent media can also foster democracy. This report summarises concepts of media and peacebuilding and looks at trends and challenges. Media can contribute to peacebuilding through indirect activities (providing non-partisan, balanced information and accountability) and through direct conflict-related programmes.
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Bratic V., and Schirch, L., 2008, ‘Why and When to Use the Media for Peacebuilding’, GPPAC Issue Paper, Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict
How can civil society organisations working in conflict prevention and peacebuilding improve their interactions with the media? Why and when should they use the media? This paper argues that different types of media can bring about different types of change. Information programming can encourage cognitive change by increasing knowledge and framing public discussion. Entertainment programming and advertising encourage attitudinal change. The media rarely directly affects behaviour, but it influences attitudes and opinions that shape behaviour. Behavioural change happens through the cumulative impact of the media and other social institutions; an integrated strategy is important.
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James, B., ed., 2004, ‘Media: Conflict Prevention and Reconstruction’, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Paris
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Bratic, V., 2009, ‘Examining Peace-Oriented Media in Areas of Violent Conflict’, Search for Common Ground
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Case Studies

Bajraktari, Y. and Parajon, C., 2008, ‘Media and Conflict: Afghanistan as a Relative Success Story’, United States Institute of Peace, Washington, DC
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Acayo, C. and Mnjama, N., 2004, ‘The Print Media and Conflict Resolution in Northern Uganda’, African Journal on Conflict Resolution, vol. 4, no. 1, pp.27-44
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Paluck, E. L., 2009, ‘Reducing Intergroup Prejudice and Conflict with the Media: A Field Experiment in Rwanda’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 96, no. 3, pp. 574-587
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Šajkaš, M., 2007, ‘Transitional Justice and the Role of the Media in the Balkans’ Discussion Paper prepared for the International Centre for Transitional Justice
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Tripathee, S. R, 2007, ‘Monitoring a Moving Target: Peace Building Soap Opera in Nepal’, Paper presented at the 3rd Symposium Forum Media and Development: Measuring Change in Media Development, September, Bonn
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Further information on media development in fragile and conflict affected states is available in the Communications in Fragile and Conflict-affected States section of the GSDRC’s guide on communications and governance.

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