Media Strategies in Conflict Transformation: The Case of Cameroon Broadcast Media Coverage of the Anglophone Conflict

The African continent is encountering numerous armed conflicts, some of which have been blamed on mass media. In these numerous armed conflicts that Africa is experiencing, the media, in view of the roles it plays in a society automatically becomes a key player in either fueling the conflicts or resolving them. Since 2016, Cameroon has been the epicenter of intrastate conflict with devastating consequences. With the proliferation of the broadcast media, the deepening of the conflict is not unconnected to the media. The media has played and continue to play a major role in the ongoing conflict. This study explored the role played by the broadcast media and examined the media strategies put in place by the broadcast media to minimize the occurrence of violence. Social Responsibility Theory of reporting was used to anchor this study. The study employs a mixed research design (qualitative and quantitative). Surveys and 110 interviews were administered to the audience and journalists respectively in Bamenda, Buea on a face-to-face and self-administered basis. Key findings of this study reveal that majority of the respondents (60.4%) are of the opinion that the broadcast media played the role of conflict escalation and majority of the journalists interviewed also shared the same view. Over 60% of the respondents hold that restructuring the content of broadcast media is major strategy to be employed in times of conflict. Content restructure of broadcast media is also recommended by journalists interviewed. The implication of the findings of this study is that it will add to existing literature in the field of peace, conflict transformation and communication. The research will serve as a platform for journalists to understand how to communicate during conflict.