In the Line of Fire: An Exploratory Study on Print Media Coverage of Armed Conflict
In the Line of Fire: An Exploratory Study on Print Media coverage of Armed Conflict
ABSTRACT
The research focuses on how the Print Media, specifically the top three broadsheets – Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), Philippine Star (PhilStar) and the Manila Bulletin (MB) – report on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro Conflict and the New Peoples’ Army and the Communist Rebellion. In this era of terrorism, ethnic insurgency and violence, armed conflict is a staple fare for the media. Reporting is generally more concerned on the war itself, instead on the efforts for its resolution. Thus, there is a need to reshape the way Mass media reports armed conflicts.Using Framing and Johann Galtung’s Peace Journalism and Shoemaker and Reese’s Hierarchy of Influences, the study analyzed PDI, PhilStar and MB articles on the Moro conflict and the Communist insurgency from January 1 to November 31, 2010 and interviewed journalists, media and Muslim-affairs experts. Although there are articles which report on the ill-effects of these conflicts and efforts of the stakeholders their resolution, print media coverage is still generally war-oriented. And although many journalists and newspapers are now more aware of the implications, they still note unavoidable restrictions that undermine their efforts (e.g., sources, biases, newspaper policy, pressures from the government and rebel groups, and public opinion).
Ermitanio, N. A. (2011). In the Line of Fire: An Exploratory Study on Print Media coverage of Armed Conflict. Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis. University of the Philippines College of Mass Communications.
Subject Index : Journalism, Military--Philippines , War correspondents--Philippines