Media Practitioners Strengthen Conflict-Sensitive Journalism Skills
By Wek Atak
A comprehensive training workshop on conflict-sensitive journalism, organized by the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) and the Media Mentors Network with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has successfully brought together media practitioners from across the country to enhance their capacity for responsible reporting in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. The initiative represents a significant step forward in strengthening the media landscape in South Sudan while promoting peace and stability through ethical journalism practices.
The workshop addressed critical challenges facing journalists operating in post-conflict environments, where the role of media extends far beyond traditional reporting to encompass peace-building, community healing, and national reconciliation. Participants engaged in intensive sessions designed to equip them with the specialized skills, knowledge, and tools necessary to navigate the complex dynamics of reporting in societies emerging from conflict while maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity and professional ethics.
David Kwaje, Head of Mission for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), delivered a keynote address emphasizing the pivotal role that media practitioners play in promoting peace and stability throughout the region. Kwaje outlined IGAD’s comprehensive approach to addressing conflicts across East Africa, which encompasses extraordinary summits bringing together regional leaders, sustained political dialogue initiatives, and targeted interventions designed to address root causes of instability and violence.
In his remarks to the assembled journalists, Kwaje stressed the importance of focusing on positive, accurate, and constructive reporting that actively contributes to stability and supports the vision of a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan. He highlighted how responsible journalism can serve as a catalyst for positive change, helping to build bridges between communities, foster understanding across ethnic and political divides, and create an environment conducive to sustainable peace and development.
The IGAD official emphasized that journalists have a unique opportunity and responsibility to shape public discourse in ways that promote unity rather than division, hope rather than despair, and solutions rather than problems. He encouraged media practitioners to view themselves as partners in the peace-building process, recognizing that their work can either contribute to healing and reconciliation or inadvertently exacerbate tensions and conflicts.
UNMISS Representative Mamadou Toure highlighted the critical importance of empowering journalists with conflict-sensitive reporting skills, comprehensive ethical frameworks, and robust collaborative networks that can support their work in challenging environments. Toure’s presentation focused on the multifaceted challenges facing media practitioners in post-conflict societies, where the information landscape is often characterized by uncertainty, competing narratives, and the potential for manipulation by various actors.
Toure stressed the paramount importance of countering misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, which can quickly spread through traditional and social media channels and contribute to renewed violence or social fragmentation. He emphasized that journalists must be equipped not only with the technical skills to identify and verify information but also with the analytical capabilities to understand the potential impact of their reporting on community relations and social cohesion.
The UNMISS representative also highlighted the need for fostering constructive engagement between media practitioners, civic society actors, and political leaders, recognizing that sustainable peace requires ongoing dialogue and collaboration across all sectors of society. He noted that journalists can play a crucial role in facilitating these conversations by providing platforms for diverse voices, promoting transparency in governance, and holding leaders accountable while maintaining professional objectivity and fairness.
Toure described the media as an essential partner in peace-building efforts, noting that responsible journalism can help reduce tensions, promote understanding between different groups, and support overall stability across the country. He emphasized that this partnership requires ongoing commitment from both media practitioners and the international community to ensure that journalists have the resources, training, and protection they need to fulfill their vital role in society.
The workshop covered a wide range of topics essential for conflict-sensitive journalism, including techniques for verifying information in challenging environments, strategies for reporting on sensitive topics without inflaming tensions, methods for protecting sources and maintaining safety while covering conflict-related stories, and approaches for engaging with communities affected by violence in respectful and constructive ways.
Participants also explored the ethical dimensions of journalism in post-conflict settings, examining case studies and best practices from other regions that have successfully transitioned from conflict to peace. The training emphasized the importance of understanding local contexts, cultural sensitivities, and historical grievances that may influence how stories are received and interpreted by different audiences.
The collaboration between UJOSS, the Media Mentors Network, and UNMISS represents a model for how international organizations, local media associations, and civil society groups can work together to strengthen media capacity and promote responsible journalism. This partnership recognizes that sustainable improvements in media practice require both international support and strong local ownership and leadership.
The training workshop also addressed practical challenges facing journalists in South Sudan, including limited access to information, infrastructure constraints, security concerns, and economic pressures that can compromise editorial independence. Participants discussed strategies for overcoming these obstacles while maintaining professional standards and ethical principles.
As South Sudan continues its journey toward lasting peace and stability, the role of media practitioners in shaping public discourse and promoting national unity becomes increasingly important. The skills and knowledge gained through this training workshop will enable journalists to contribute more effectively to peace-building efforts while fulfilling their essential function of informing the public and holding leaders accountable.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition that investing in media capacity and promoting conflict-sensitive journalism is essential for supporting democratic governance, social cohesion, and sustainable development in post-conflict societies. By equipping journalists with the tools and knowledge they need to report responsibly on sensitive issues, such training programs contribute to creating an information environment that supports rather than undermines peace-building efforts.
Moving forward, the success of this training workshop will be measured not only by the immediate skills gained by participants but also by the long-term impact on media practice in South Sudan and the contribution of responsible journalism to the country’s ongoing peace and development efforts.
