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HWPL Media Forum Highlights Peace Journalism’s Role in Peace-Building
(MENAFN- HWPL) The HWPL MENA Media Forum: The Role of Media and Its Impact on Peace and Conflict was held on November 30, 2024. Organized by the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the virtual event brought together about 20 media professionals and emerging journalists from North Africa and the Middle East to discuss journalism’s role in promoting peace and addressing regional conflicts.
North Africa and the Middle East, regions of cross-cultural and historical value, continue to face challenges stemming from their colonial past and socio-political complexities. Recognizing these realities, the forum aimed to provide practical insights into how journalism can support peace-building efforts by fostering understanding and dialogue.
The discussions centered on addressing the root causes of conflict through community-driven reporting, cultural exchanges, and education-based solutions. The African philosophy of Ubuntu, emphasizing solidarity and collective responsibility, served as a guiding principle throughout the event.
The forum began with sharing HWPL’s Peace Journalism activities and its direction, followed by a keynote speech that outlined the importance of press freedom and responsibility in conflict-sensitive reporting. Three case presentations further explored how media professionals in Africa and the Middle East have approached peace journalism in their respective contexts.
Presentation from Mr. Samuel Abate, the Managing Editor of Ethio Negari, Ethiopia, highlighted how inclusive reporting in African nations has given marginalized groups a voice, fostering reconciliation and social cohesion.
Another focused on the Middle East, where journalists have used innovative storytelling to reshape public discourse on diversity and coexistence. Mr. Raja Asad Khalid, the Editor in Chief of Leading News, United Arab Emirates, commented “The issue nowadays is that we only believe in news we want to believe in.
However, we can be a tool for peace or otherwise. It's our responsibility to be aware and intelligent in what to reject or accept from social media.”
Nizar Ismat Ali, Director, International Relations Affairs of University of Zakho, made a remark on ethical journalism added “As a partner of HWPL for a long time, I’m currently planning to implement Peace Education in colleges. The cooperation between me and HWPL will be in next level next year as I wish to conduct forum like this.”
The forum strengthened partnerships between media professionals, civil society, and academic institutions, creating a foundation for long-term collaboration. HWPL plans to expand its peace media network by engaging more journalists and fostering cross-regional exchanges.
HWPL has been establishing bilateral approach in public relations by objectifying its view in selecting issues related to institutionalization of global peace and by intimate communication with local journalists to comprehend the issues in-depth. It has been releasing resources and articles through local channels running its own online platform, The Media Association for Global Peace (MAGP), to connect media, organizations, and citizens globally.
To further ensure that the forum’s insights reach a wider audience, HWPL will accelerate its initiatives to localize press releases by hosting serial media forum, specifically ranged within one country so as to encourage journalists to adopt a peace-oriented approach in their work.
North Africa and the Middle East, regions of cross-cultural and historical value, continue to face challenges stemming from their colonial past and socio-political complexities. Recognizing these realities, the forum aimed to provide practical insights into how journalism can support peace-building efforts by fostering understanding and dialogue.
The discussions centered on addressing the root causes of conflict through community-driven reporting, cultural exchanges, and education-based solutions. The African philosophy of Ubuntu, emphasizing solidarity and collective responsibility, served as a guiding principle throughout the event.
The forum began with sharing HWPL’s Peace Journalism activities and its direction, followed by a keynote speech that outlined the importance of press freedom and responsibility in conflict-sensitive reporting. Three case presentations further explored how media professionals in Africa and the Middle East have approached peace journalism in their respective contexts.
Presentation from Mr. Samuel Abate, the Managing Editor of Ethio Negari, Ethiopia, highlighted how inclusive reporting in African nations has given marginalized groups a voice, fostering reconciliation and social cohesion.
Another focused on the Middle East, where journalists have used innovative storytelling to reshape public discourse on diversity and coexistence. Mr. Raja Asad Khalid, the Editor in Chief of Leading News, United Arab Emirates, commented “The issue nowadays is that we only believe in news we want to believe in.
However, we can be a tool for peace or otherwise. It's our responsibility to be aware and intelligent in what to reject or accept from social media.”
Nizar Ismat Ali, Director, International Relations Affairs of University of Zakho, made a remark on ethical journalism added “As a partner of HWPL for a long time, I’m currently planning to implement Peace Education in colleges. The cooperation between me and HWPL will be in next level next year as I wish to conduct forum like this.”
The forum strengthened partnerships between media professionals, civil society, and academic institutions, creating a foundation for long-term collaboration. HWPL plans to expand its peace media network by engaging more journalists and fostering cross-regional exchanges.
HWPL has been establishing bilateral approach in public relations by objectifying its view in selecting issues related to institutionalization of global peace and by intimate communication with local journalists to comprehend the issues in-depth. It has been releasing resources and articles through local channels running its own online platform, The Media Association for Global Peace (MAGP), to connect media, organizations, and citizens globally.
To further ensure that the forum’s insights reach a wider audience, HWPL will accelerate its initiatives to localize press releases by hosting serial media forum, specifically ranged within one country so as to encourage journalists to adopt a peace-oriented approach in their work.
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