THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN RESOLVING CONFLICTS IN OUR SOCIETY
BENJAMIN KALU, UMUAHIA
A Deputy Vice Chancellor in Gregory University Uturu in Abia State, Professor Uwaoma Kalu Uche, during the 8th Inaugural Lecture of the school, harped on the need for journalists across all levels to ensure that mass media contents are peace oriented and to contribute towards resolving conflicts in our society and the development of the Nation.
Lecturing on the theme: “Communicating Life and Death in our Atomistic Conflict Prone Society; Media Role in Resolving the Albatross, the 8th inaugural lecturer of the University, Professor Uche, said it is pertinent for the mass media to always stand for the truth rather than dish out hate speeches and stories that can incite violence.
He frowned at the polarisation of the journalism profession by Android phone users who claim newsmen on various social media platforms, adding that it poses a threat to peace journalism.
The Professor of Mass Communication warned phone users and digital media against using it to communicate negativity, believes that channeling communications to propagating African values would make the culture evolve and aid development.
Professor Uche who is a Deputy Vice – Chancellor, Academic, noted that the political class have been accused of creating atmosphere that promotes unrest, conflict and violence, said there is urgent need to protect the lives of media personnel as well as put an end to intimidations and killings of journalists.
According to him, the mass media has a role to play in ensuring sustainable development in the country through peace journalism; hence, their training should be sustained.
Describing Artificial Intelligence as a new technology that has taken humanity to unchanged territories, Professor Uche however advised against the risks including turning man to become tools to his own creation.
Professor Uche recommended for a review of the country’s media and communication policy and the inclusion of peace journalism templates as panacea to the sustainable development of the society.
