Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 2, No. 9, September 2011 | pp. 72–80

DOI: 10.46882/2011/GJPCS/000032

Research Article

The Media-Peace Nexus: Evaluating Peace Journalism Training inside Post-Violence Kenya

David O. Omondi¹

¹School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract: Mass media networks can serve as either instruments for escalating conflict or tools for building social cohesion. This study presents an empirical content analysis evaluating the impact of peace journalism training programs on local radio broadcasters in Kenya following the 2007–2008 electoral violence. Analyzing 900 news segments broadcast between 2009 and 2010, we coded for structural polarization, reliance on single-ethnic sources, and de-escalation frames. The quantitative data reveals that stations employing trained journalists reduced their use of zero-sum framing by 35% compared to untrained control stations (p < 0.01). Chi-square tests indicated a significant association between peace journalism adoption and reduced localized ethnic panic indices (chi-square = 28.4, df = 3, p < 0.001). The study notes an operational improvement variance of 18% ± 2.6% in objective conflict reporting. The paper argues for integrating peace journalism metrics into formal national communications policies to prevent media weaponization during future elections.

Keywords: peace journalism, media content analysis, Kenya, ethnic conflict, political polarization, broadcaster training

Manuscript Timeline: Received May 12, 2011; Revised July 04, 2011; Accepted August 01, 2011; Published September 14, 2011.

Citation: Omondi, D. O. (2011). The Media-Peace Nexus: Evaluating Peace Journalism Training inside Post-Violence Kenya. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 2(9), 72–80. DOI: 10.46882/2011/GJPCS/000032

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