These were some of the issues discussed by Professor Bernard Nnamdi Emenyeonu, a Professor at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Sultanate of Oman when he delivered a paper on processing information and security arrangements in media coverage in conflict zones. The occasion was a Refresher programme of the Union Catholique Africaine de la Presse (UCAP), that is the African Catholic Union of the Press, which took place from the 10^th to the 16^th August, 2022, in Lome, Togo.

Professor Emenyeonu's presentation focused on the dynamics and realities of news framing in times of conflicts that reporters ought to be familiar with and how such knowledge could help journalists operating in conflict zones, process and frame stories in ways that would, as much as possible, offer a true representation of the reality of the conflict for the information and guidance of the public.

He also discussed how such reports could enhance reconciliation rather than adding fuel towards the perpetuation of the conflict and how reporters could enhance their personal and collective security and safety.

The Professor started by describing how information is churned out in conflict situations. He said that when wars are being fought, for example, there is a lot of censorship because the Public Relations arm of whichever faction a journalist is moving with, steers and dictates the news agenda. Information, he said, is strategically released only when it is to the best advantage of the side giving out the information. Any opposing media that will not publicise their side of the story or, what they want to hear, is silenced.

Prof. Emenyeonu recounted how a pool system that had been used before by the military during the US invasion of Grenada in 1983, was reintroduced by the military during the Gulf War in 1991 and only censored information was distributed. He explained that in such conflict situations, the media is controlled through monopolies, censorship, disinformation and war propaganda, as well as the physical control of access to the battlefield.

Fortunately, the media is now fragmented through the introduction of the internet and social media, and numerous global TV channels that operate around the clock, 7 days a week, making it more difficult to keep information from the public and journalists.

This has also brought in its wake, the problem of having too much information on social media and not being able to filter what is real from what is not real. He gave an example of the way in which the conflict in Ukraine had unfolded across social media making it difficult for people to figure out the realities on the ground. He said that “cell phone videos from locals have circulated on Twitter, Facebook and TikTok, but some of the videos alleging to depict the situation on the ground in Ukraine have turned out to be fake.”

Prof. Emenyeonu noted that the majority of users of social media platforms sometimes fall victim to spreading false claims, which are “aimed at either partisan advocacy or for purposes of earning financial profits.”

Unfortunately for the rest of the world, a number of media organizations “are increasingly resorting to the use of second-hand information and materials obtained from freelancers and online sources” so they can avoid the danger of having their members of staff, kidnapped or killed in zones of bloody or complicated conflicts. The downside of this is that the “organizations are not able to independently verify such materials, leading to the risk of circulating misleading information,” Prof Emenyeonu said.

“The main result of the above realities,” he recounted, “is that truth becomes the first and the main casualty of war. The public is left without the accurate and balanced information to understand what is happening and how to react appropriately. Misleading reports also sustain conflicts rather than aim at resolution and reconciliation.”

He noted that the Geneva Convention offered protection to the traditional war reporter in war zones (flak jackets, body armour and bold visible ‘PRESS’ inscription) but this did not ensure complete safety for the journalist in a conflict situation.  A case in point is the recent killing of Al Jazeera's, Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist who had worked as a reporter for the Arabic-language channel of Al Jazeera for 25 years, and was one of the most prominent names across the Middle East for her decades of reporting in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. Even with all the armour she wore with 'PRESS' boldly written on her protective garment, she was shot dead on 11^th May, 2022, while on duty in the Jenin camp.

Professor Emenyeonu said that the “main result of the aforementioned challenges is that truth, accuracy and balance are compromised either to keep the news flowing, to stay safe or even to make money through sensationalism/fake news or, as a well paid troll.” He said that “for professionals working for organizations, the responsibility lies mostly with the management to lay the ethical codes and professional guidelines for news coverage, implemented through selection of what to publish and sanctions on errant reporters.”  He added that “even where the organizations are seen to be biased to the point where personal values of truth and fairness and respect for sanctity of life clash with official guidelines, it is the reporter's responsibility to take a decision in line with his conscience, faith and conviction.”

According to Prof Emenyeonu,“news reporting is never a matter of happenstance, but a product of several layers on individual, professional and organizational decisions.”  He noted that “in processing information, there will always be the challenge of speed versus accuracy, scoops, breaking news and beating deadlines.”  He asked if there were situations where speed needed to be considered above truth and accuracy? Or, whether detailed and accurate reporting eventually beat sparse and speedy reporting?

He questioned if news people considered how a report affected society or, whether newsmen and women considered the need to cross check information or, would resist the urge to share gory footage just for attracting viewers/subscribers etc or even manipulate such footage to enhance its shock value?  He enquired if reporters had the requisite resources to conduct their own investigations and if they themselves were motivated to do so? He queried the values that influenced the way news was framed.

Professor Emenyeonu added that although UNESCO adopted the 20 UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity in April 2012, some experienced reporters spoken to suggested that unless governments were willing to follow up on the resolution, reporters on the ground increasingly found themselves in harm’s way.

He noted that the greatest need was to tackle the issue of impunity from perpetrators committing crimes against journalists, in order to enhance freedom of expression and democracy.