Responsible Journalism in Conflicted Societies

Book excerpt: Setting out multiple perspectives from media and journalism scholars, this collection addresses the implications that today’s technological, socio-political, and economic conditions have for relations between journalists, sources, audiences, and wider publics. Applying an inclusive concept of ‘conflicted societies’ that goes beyond those affected by violent conflict to include traditionally ‘stable’ but increasingly polarised democracies, such as the UK and the USA, contributors engage with longstanding questions and new challenges surrounding concepts of responsibility, trust, public service, and public interest in journalism. The unique span of studies offers international scope, including societies often overlooked in media and journalism studies, such as Northern Ireland, Turkey, Cyprus, Pakistan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. Chapters also feature contemporary case studies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as a route into understanding the pertinent issue of fake news, and the ‘local turn’ in journalism. Responsible Journalism in Conflicted Societies is not only a valuable resource for those studying conflict reporting and international journalism but will also appeal to scholars working at the intersection of media, journalism, communication, peace, conflict, and security studies.