Volume 5, Number 3

The Role of Media in Peacebuilding: A Case Study of both Public And Private Media in Harare, Zimbabwe

  Authors

Chirunga Tawanda and Mbwirire John, Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe

  Abstract

This study explores the roles of both public and private media in peacebuilding in Harare, Zimbabwe following political dynamics of early 2000s to date. The study employed a mixed method approach combining questionnaires with the general public and junior staff in the media industry, focus group discussions with middle management staff in the media industry and in-depth interviews management staff in the media industry. The findings indicate the role and effect of media in peacebuilding is both destructive and constructive when it comes to the issue of building sustainable peace and preventing the recurrence of conflict in Zimbabwe. The study recommended that media should promote co-existence through reconciliation. Both public and private media should instrumental in uniting the top, middle and grassroot people.

  Keywords

Media, peacebuilding, propaganda, reconciliation, peace, conflict, public media, private media.