Journalists Gather for Violence and Conflict Seminar
THIRTY FOUR journalists from all over the country gathered for a two-day seminar-workshop on Violence and Conflict organized by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) on April 1 and 2, 2016 at the Novotel Manila  Araneta Center in Quezon City.
The seminar-workshop was an attempt to draw journalists into exploring other perspectives in reporting violent conflict so as to discern the multiplicity of its causes, relating these to the exercise of power at all levels in society.
CMFR has noted the pervasiveness of violence and conflict in the course of its work on press freedom protection to address the killing of journalists in the country. But reportage has suggested the need for expanding the news lens in journalism.
Despite their prevalence, incidents of violence and conflict have often been reported only as crime, with the media basing their reportage mainly on sources from law enforcement agencies.
CMFR engaged International Alert (IA) and Professor Ronald Mendoza in the training. The sessions combined lectures and a workshop with open discussion.
IA Philippines’ country manager, Francisco Lara, Ph.D. discussed conflict apart from war and together with the IA research teams presented the various categories of conflict incidents in the Bangsamoro, as these reflect the impact of shadow economies.
Professor Mendoza of the Ateneo School of Government related political dynasties and the dynamic of clan power on corruption and violence. Other sessions discussed the political economy of conflict and IA’s Bangsamoro Conflict Monitoring System.
CMFR developed the training program with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila. Participation of a number of journalists from Mindanao was also made possible by supported by The Asia Foundation.
IA is an independent non-governmental organization that works at the local, national, regional and global levels to generate conditions and processes conducive to the cessation of war and the generation of sustainable peace. IA Philippines Team top row, from left to right: Country Manager Francisco “Pancho” Lara Jr., Deputy Country Manager Nikki Philline C. de la Rosa, Judy T. Gulane. Bottom row: Eddie L. Quitoriano, Liezl Bugtay, Jorge Golle.
Professor Ronald Mendoza, former Executive Director of Asian Institute of Management Policy Center, is currently with the Ateneo School of Government.
CMFR Executive Director Melinda Quintos de Jesus (left) and Deputy Director Prof. Luis Teodoro (right).
The journalists actively participating during two-day training workshop:
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