Media as a Party in Conflict, Conflict Management and Resolution: The Case of South Africa

Conflict in a universal social phenomenon which occurs everywhere in the world where living beings are found. There are several causes of conflict in any place, situation, or development. In conflict situation, the media have always been looked upon as crucial vehicles which can be used to resolved conflict amicably. If the mass media which are supposed to facilitate conflict management and resolution are in themselves party to the conflict, what becomes of the conflict and how can the objectives of conflict management and resolution be realized? This paper therefore investigates the media as party in conflict, their roles in such conflict management and resolution using the role of the media in apartheid south Africa as a case study. In this connection, this paper examines the experiences of media organizations in apartheid South Africa, the experiences of media personnel in trying to discharge their duties in South Africa, their actions and reactions in the conflict situation and the roles they played in resolving the conflict. The study also explains all attributes which a journalist in a conflict situation or reporting in a conflict situation must acquire in other to successful function well to see the resolution of the conflict.