News and Conflict:
Traditional Notions of Journalism,
Revolutionary Ways of Reporting

Michael Jonathan Grinfeld, J.D.
University of Missouri-Columbia
School of Journalism

Abstract

Truth, accuracy, objectivity, fairness, independence, balance, and a watchdog role are among the most important values that define traditional notions of American journalism. They are so fundamental, that fledgling democracies throughout the world all view them as ideals as they reconstruct their media after what may have been years of oppression and censorship. Burgeoning technology and 24/7 news cycles have vastly increased accessibility to both the textual descriptions and imagery of conflict. As a result, the importance and centrality of media’s role in reporting on all types of disputes has amplified as well, causing conflict’s participants, with even greater emphasis than before, to consider strategies that relate more to how they will look in the press than how they will resolve an argument. This paper, therefore, asks the question whether journalists can play a constructive role in conflicts and help achieve resolution or community consensus, without abandoning traditional values. It will urge the adoption of standards and practices that will assist reporters to cover conflicts in ways that can have a positive impact on local, regional, national and international communities, while preserving journalistic integrity.