Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan held training sessions on conflict-sensitive media coverage

A series of training was held in May in Bishkek and Dushanbe for chief editors and reporters of independent editions and editorial offices. The training participants discussed the basics of conflict-sensitive journalism, the features of journalists' work in conflict situations, as well as the ways to adhere to the principles and standards of journalism in their coverage.

The training focused on the specifics of reporting on conflicts for TV, radio and text editions, moreover, it discussed the methods and techniques of storytelling. Journalists were told about the ways to prepare and plan a trip on an editorial assignment, to assess possible risks, and what to do to reduce them.

Reporters received practical advice on physical security during conflict coverage, and also discussed cases on the ethics of conflict coverage and building editorial policy.

Visiting international coach Peter De Toit made a presentation on the constructive role of journalism in covering conflicts and crises.

He highlighted that journalists play a crucial role in covering conflicts and can help to avoid escalation of the conflict if the events are covered correctly. He also explained what opportunities could be available to limit potential damage. 

• Journalism must be accurate and compelling. The better journalists understand the conflict, the more they will be prepared to cover events and processes in a way to increase understanding and rise the chances that parties reach peaceful solutions, he said.

Peter De Toit is a journalist and media trainer who specializes in conflict reporting. For more than twenty years, he has provided conflict reporting training for reporters and editors in countries affected by civil wars and ethnic and social conflicts. He held seminars in East, West and South Africa, Southeast and Central Asia and the Middle East. Peter has conducted training programs for conflict reporting trainers and has developed a program designed to help civil society organizations promote peace through effective media relations. He is the author of a Guide on Conflict-sensitive Coverage of Conflicts and Extremism Issues.

Peter worked as a journalist for over a decade before fully moving into education and training. For more than a decade, he served as a Deputy Director of the Sola Plaatier Media Institute (SPI), the teaching wing of the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University. At SPI, he developed, launched and taught the SPI Graduate Diploma in Media Management. His academic qualifications include: a bachelor's degree (cum laude) (UPE); an advanced diploma in journalism and media studies (Rhodes); a master's degree in education (Rhodes) and a master's degree in philosophy - conflict management and transformation (NMMU).

Internews has been implementing a regional project in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan since October 2022 that aims to strengthen the capacity of the Mass Media, media and civil society to jointly improve coverage of border conflicts and crises.