Media and Conflict: Escalating Evil (Media and Power) - Softcover

Hamelink, Cees Jan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1594516448 ISBN 13: 9781594516443

Publisher: Routledge, 2011

Synopsis

The world faces explosive conflicts about the distribution and scarcity of resources, about ethnicity and religion, and about the risks of urban life. These conflicts can easily spiral out of control toward mass slaughter-an evil of huge proportions that is often escalated by the media. What should be done to prevent this lethal trend? We need to understand how the 'spiral of escalation' works. How do media create anxiety, provide space for agitation, and disconnect people? Three approaches to the prevention of mass mediated aggression are proposed in this book: an early warning system for incitement to mass destruction, the invitation to disarming conversations in urban space, and the teaching of 'compassionate communication' to children and others. Alertness to the recurrence of collective violence is urgently needed not only in unstable and poor societies, but also in established democracies. Ordinary people can be incited to the mass slaughter of other ordinary people anywhere. Understanding the media's role in this and acting to prevent it are key goals of this book.

About this title

About the Author

Cees J. Hamelink is currently Professor of Human Rights and Public Health at the Athena Institute at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and Professor of Management of Information and Knowledge for Sustainable Development at the University of Aruba in Oranjestad, Aruba as well as Professor Emeritus of International Communication at the University of Amsterdam. He worked as a foreign correspondent for radio and television and was formerly a policy adviser and researcher for several intergovernmental organizations and national governments. He is editor-in-chief of the International Communication Gazette, is the Honorary President of the International Association for Media and Communication Research, and has authored sixteen books on communication, culture, and human rights.

Review

“What a timely book―when the media try to limit the discussion of the Middle East to
escalating violence right now, leaving out both the past and the future. Hamelink’s three
proposals, early warning (opening the future), disarming conversations (anti-escalation) and
‘compassionate communication’ (about suffering, about joy) should be read and understood by
all, moguls and pundits alike.”
―Johan Galtung, Professor of Peace Studies and founder of TRANSCEND

“Cees Hamelink brings a breadth and depth of experience, and of political and ethical
commitment, to presenting potential everyday solutions to enormous problems that can easily
appear beyond our capacity to solve. In particular, he serves as a seasoned guide to the roles of
media and information embedded in these problems and their solutions.”
―John D. H. Downing, Emeritus Founding Director, Global Media Research Center, Southern Illinois University

“This is vintage Cees Hamelink as incomparable provocateur imbued with a social purpose.
This book alerts us to the reality of the cycle of good and evil, humans who look the other way
rather than defuse conflict, the need for mindfulness in the everyday, and the role of media
institutions in escalating evil through dehumanizing representations.”
―Bella Mody, de Castro Chair in Global Media, University of Colorado–Boulder

“Cees Hamelink has written an eloquent and important book about the importance of both
personal communication and mass media in counteracting the evils of war and conflict. He
opines that it is not enough for communicators to report. They must also educate and warn
against repetition of crimes against humanity.”
―Howard Tumber, City University–London

“In this wide-ranging book on an all too timely topic, Cees Hamelink asks key questions about
the role of media in collective violence, and he suggests thought-provoking answers.”
―Susan Benesch, Senior Fellow, World Policy Institute

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1594516448
• ISBN 13: 9781594516443
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192