Peace journalism the way forward

Khairul Saleh, Palembang

PALEMBANG (The Jakarta Post), South Sumatra: Around 15 journalists in Palembang participated Thursday in a peace journalism course co-organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the Center for Journalism and Development Studies (LSPP).

"We want to provide participating journalists with some knowledge and know-how on peace journalism," Unesco's Arya Gunawan said.

"Hopefully, this course will enable them to comprehend the nature of conflict."

Similar courses have been held in Batam and organizers plan to hold the course in Jambi and Padang.

Course speaker Bambang Wisudo said the journalists should approach and view the conflict and the people involved with balance.

"Only then, the journalist will be able to report or to write about the conflict in a clear, calm, moderate, unbiased and comprehensive manner."

Wisudo is a long-time journalist who has covered various conflicts in Indonesia.