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Workshop on Media and Violence: Designing Coverage to Foster Peace

Divine Word University
Madang, Papua New Guinea
October 11-14, 2001

Sponsors:
  • Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
  • James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
  • John Fairfax Holdings Limited, Sydney, Australia
  • Divine Word University, Madang, Papua New Guinea
  • Pacific Island News Association, Suva, Fiji
  • UNESCO
 
Introduction:

This workshop is designed to give Pacific Island editors, news directors and reporters practical and theoretical knowledge on how news media coverage of violence can affect trauma and how the news media can provide sensitive coverage and reduce trauma of the victims and of news personnel.

This is recognized as an immensely important and difficult task, and this workshop is just the beginning of what is hoped will be broader understanding among Pacific Islands media of reporting violence and of the impact of reporting on violence on the victims and the journalists themselves.

The central premise of the workshop is that more sensitive coverage of violence lessens the likelihood it will occur in the future and increases the chances of peace.

The sponsors of the workshop realize that many of the answers must come from the Pacific Islands media. The broader knowledge of trauma coverage can be presented by the sponsors, but only the Pacific Islands media can help understand how such knowledge can be used in their media coverage.

 
Text materials:
Covering Violence: A Guide to Ethical Reporting About Victims & Trauma, by William Coté and Roger Simpson. New York: Columbia University Press, 2000.
 
Discussion Leaders:

Cratis Hipocrates, manager, group editorial learning and development, John Fairfax Publications, Sydney

Clem Lloyd, professor, Communication Department, University of Canberra

Jim Richstad, emeritus professor, School of Journalism, University of Oklahoma

Lee B. Becker, professor, College of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Georgia, and director of the Cox Center

 
Workshop Schedule:
 
Thursday, October 11:
  Opening Session, 3 p.m.
  Welcome to Papua New Guinea, Madang, Divine Word University
 
  • Johnson Honimae, general manager, Solomon Island Broadcasting Corporation and Radio Industry Representative on PINA Executive Committee
  • Joe Weber, head of the Department of Communication Arts, Divine Word University
  Introduction of Discussion Leaders and Review of Preliminary Program
 
  • Lee B. Becker, director of James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research, University of Georgia, USA
  Introduction of the Program Participants, with Discussion of Their Experiences in Covering Violence and Trauma
  Tea Break
  Overview of Program Theme, Violence and Trauma, by Cratis Hippocrates and Clem Lloyd
  Opening Banquet
   
Friday, October 12:
  Reporting at the Scene of Violence, 8 a.m.
  Tea Break
  Using Images of Violence
  Lunch
  Writing about Violence
  Tea Break
  Interviewing Victims of Crime
  Small Group Assignments
  Small-Groups Meetings, evening
   
Saturday, October 13:
  Organizing Coverage at the Scene of Violence
  Violence in the Pacific: The Case of Bougainville
  Tea Break
  Violence in the Pacific: The Case of the Tsunami in Aitape, Papua New Guinea
  Lunch
  Violence in the Pacific: The Case of the Coup in the Solomon Islands
  Tea Break
  Violence in the Pacific: The Case of the Coup in Fiji
  Discussion of Resolutions on the Workshop Topic for PINA
   
Sunday, October 14:
  Specials Problems in Reporting on Domestic Violence and Violence Involving Children
  Tea Break
  Small Group Reports
  Final Discussion of Resolutions on the Workshop Topic for PINA
  Program Evaluation
  Lunch
  Closing Ceremonies, Awarding of Certificates

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