"This handbook brings together principles of conflict sensitive journalism with practical strategies for election reporting to explore how media workers can play a role in protecting and promoting free and fair elections. It aims to provide some guidelines that both editors and their journalists can
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follow as they strategize around ways of reporting on the build-up to elections, what to do on Election Day and how to cover the post-election period." (Purpose of this handbook, page 3)
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"The handbook begins with a more general focus on conflict and on the different contributions journalists can make if they adopt a conflict sensitive approach to reporting. Key ideas relating to conflict senstive reporting are spelt out in some detail in Part One and this provides a conceptual basis
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for the rest of the text. The remainder of the handbook focuses more specifically on how a conflict sensitive approach to reporting can enable journalists to make a constructive contribution when reporting on situations involving violent extremists and terrorists. Readers who are are primarily interested in these issues can skip Part One and begin their reading at the start of Part Two. That said, many of the ideas discussed in Part One, such as tips for understanding conflict, or interviewing people in conflict situations, would also inform the coverage of extremism and terrorism. One of the corner stones of conflict sensitive reporting is the assumption that the more journalists know about conflict, the better equipped they will be to report constructively on disputes, confrontations, insurgencies and wars. The handbook assumes the same thing when it comes to reporting on extremism and terrorism and consequently provides a detailed discussion of some relevant aspects relating to these manifestation of conflict in Part Two. Part Three looks specifically at things journalists can do when reporiting extremist activities in a community and how, by applying principles of fair, independent and transparent reporting, they can help to limit the harmful effects of these activities. Part Four deals specifically with contributions journalists can make when reporting on actual terrorist attacks, while Part Five, written by Jem Thomas, focuses specifically on violent extremism in the digital world. Part Six: Looking After Yourself, pays attention to question relating to journalists physical safety and psychological well being." (Page 6)
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"This toolbox should provide some insights and tools for journalists reporting on events in other countries, but it has primarily been developed for journalists reporting on extremely violent conflicts in their own communities. It hopes to provide these journalists with insights they can draw on in
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making a constructive contribution to the eventual peaceful management and resolution of conflicts through their reporting. In doing so it recognizes that many professional journalists have found that an approach to conflict coverage known as conflict sensitive journalism (CSJ) (see Box One: Conflict Sensitive Journalism a Brief Background) has enhanced their ability to cover conflict. Many have also noted that the CSJ approach has raised their commitment to good journalism by helping them recognize how they can make a positive contribution toward conflict transformation in their own communities. In essence, conflict sensitive journalism involves journalists developing a more sophisticated understanding of conflict and applying this knowledge in all aspects of their reporting - from story conceptualization, to interviewing, to the final moments of production. This toolbox draws on the CSJ approach in exploring how even in the face of atrocities, journalists can effectively tell a story and thereby contribute constructively to peacebuilding and conflict transformation." (Introduction, page 3-4)
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"The findings of the research reflect two overarching concerns: training content and training delivery. It is a central finding of the research that financial skills are required by the sector. Related to this is the need to encourage professional attitudes, processes, and systems within the sector.
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It is necessary to manage the business in a professional manner in order to gain the support of the community as well as advertisers. Such support contributes to the sustainability of the business. In terms of delivery, on-site training, mentorships and information exchange are emphasised because of the managers’ time and resource constraints. While accredited, theoretical training is perceived as important and worthwhile, participants emphasised the importance of experiential training. The research concludes with a detailed outline of a new qualification the SPI will be seeking to register which will enable it to make a contribution to the small independent community newspaper sector. The research has encountered one central obstacle. The sector is characterised by competition and lack of resources, thus managers are not able to leave their businesses for extended periods of time, and do not always answer telephone calls or emails that are not an immediate priority." (Executive summary, page 2-3)
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"From all that has come before it should be all too clear that starting up and developing a small independent community newspaper takes considerable tenacity. There is a general perception in this sector that the value of these publications often goes unacknowledged. Shirley Govender of the Southern
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and Soweto News summarises how many of independents in this research appear to feel: “No one takes you seriously as an independent publisher…[we] feel that disadvantage is running through our veins.” In every single newspaper’s case study at least one person says they are in the industry for the love of it. Most are stoic regarding challenges they face. Some are more independent than others. Many form good and often interesting symbiotic partnerships to share resources and people-power. Some report on contentious issues, most do not. The majority use their newspapers in ways that work towards building a better life for themselves and the communities they serve. But few have the time and know-how to access and engage with media development agencies. And fewer still have the time and expertise to represent the voice of small community publications in the battle against unfair competition, inequitable practices and marginalisation." (Conclusion, page 114)
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