Conflict transformation through mass media:A case study of the democratic republic of Congo

Abstract

The objective of this research was to examine the transformation of the Congo conflict though mass media. Specially, the research sought to assess critically and analyze the manner in which the Congo violence has been covered by the local and international mainstream media; To establish whether the coverage of Congo violence by the country's mainstream media facilitates the process of conflict resolution in the region; and to analyze the strength and weaknesses of the coverage of conflict violence in Congo, then offer recommendations on how the local media can improve on such coverage in future. Using DRC Congo as a case study, the research examines the place of communication especially mass media in the ongoing conflict transformation in the region. The study employed a research method incorporating descriptive design because the statement of the problem was clear and the environment in which the study was carried out was natural. The research descriptively illustrated the actual situation on the ground, which is how Congolese national living in Kenya feel about the transformation of their country's conflict, through mass media. "How an issue is reported is as important as whether the issue is reported at all" said James Dearing and Everrett Roger (1996) in an-article 'agenda-setting'. This fact as well as the historical urge to resolve Africa's issues by Africans themselves prompted the research topic. The target population was 100 Congolese staying in Nairobi. The actual response from the sample size was 64 out of 100 representing 64% which was deemed by the researcher representative of the target population and hence generalized to the entire population. Data was collected and analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively and the results of the analysis presented in form of charts, graphs and tables. The findings were discussed in an effort to answer the research questions, then conclusion drawn and recommendation written.