Assessing the Role of Peace Journalism in Mitigating Cross-Border Conflicts: Case Study of Moyo, Uganda and Kajo-Keji, South Sudan

Abstract

This study examined the role of peace journalism in reducing cross-border conflicts between Uganda and South Sudan, focusing on Moyo, Uganda, and Kajo-Keji, South Sudan. The study was crucial for gaining insights into how journalists used approaches aligned with peace journalism principles to report on cross-border conflicts, to examine the impact of peace-oriented media coverage on public perceptions and attitudes toward Moyo, Kajo-Keji cross-border conflicts, and to identify the challenges journalists face in implementing peace journalism to mitigate cross-border conflicts. Although peace journalism has had an impact on global, regional, and internal conflicts, there was never any research carried out on cross-border conflicts and particularly the case of Moyo and Kajo-Keji, hence the study became a necessity to uncover the novelty in the specific context. The main objective of the study was to assess the role of peace journalism in mitigating cross-border conflicts. Using a longitudinal case study design dating back to 2014, when cross-border conflicts intensified; leaving at least 20 dead and 200 huts burnt to ashes, the study used in-depth interviews for journalists and focus group discussions for key stakeholders, totalling to 30 purposively selected respondents. In addition, document reviews were made to trace written or recorded facts for analysis. The study uncovered that journalists used collaboration, conflict-sensitive and conflict transformation approaches in reporting on the cross-border conflicts. Consequently, the peace-oriented media coverage impacted positively on trust and social rebuilding, collaboration and peaceful co-existence, economic and structural powers, narrative shifting and media influence amidst challenges of institutional and political barriers, capacity and resource limitations, safety and psychological risks as well as societal and cultural resistance. To this effect, this study has become a wakeup call for enabling institutional and policy support, strengthened media capacity and ethics as well as increased peace dialogues and cross-border collaboration.