ABSTRACT
Conflict resolution requires changing disputants’ perceptions of each other. The mass media has enormous influence on knowledge, attitudes and possibly behaviour. The relatively new but now widespread media development initiative called Conflict Sensitive Journalism (CSJ) strengthens conventional news media practices in conflict-stressed environments to make them more relevant to conflict resolution. CSJ reinforces essential elements of conventional Western journalism, and introduces rudimentary conflict analysis skills, making journalists aware of their innate and unintended potential to contribute to conflict resolution without compromise of standards of journalistic professionalism. The essay describes the evolution of Conflict Sensitive Journalism, presents examples of its application, and evaluates its effectiveness.
