Participants from different countries discussed solutions-oriented journalism
The International HWPL Seminar on Peace Journalism Research took place on April 18, 2026, in an online format, bringing together around 220 participants from across the globe, including Belgium, the United States, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, and Ukraine. Under the theme “Approaches to Reporting in the Age of News Avoidance: Enhancing Audience Engagement through Collaboration between Media and Civil Society for Peace,” the event explored the role of journalism in overcoming news avoidance, reducing conflict, and promoting peace.
The seminar has been held annually since 2023, with this year marking its fourth edition. Participants traditionally include scholars in journalism and media studies, journalists, educators and students, policymakers, and representatives of civil society.
During the seminar, three journalists—contributors to the fourth issue of the HWPL Peace Journalism Studies journal—presented their research. They emphasized the importance of solutions-oriented journalism that goes beyond reporting events and instead offers pathways to conflict resolution, fostering hope.
Ahmad Yani, a journalist from the editorial team of Indepthnews.id (Indonesia), presented a study titled “The Role of International Media Narratives in De-escalating the Conflict Between Thailand and Cambodia.” He noted that the way media covers conflicts significantly shapes public perception.
Based on an analysis of 19 articles from leading global media outlets, he found that approximately 64% of publications focused primarily on military clashes and political tensions, while the experiences of over 200,000 displaced civilians were largely overlooked. He stressed that media shapes public understanding by choosing which aspects to highlight and which to omit, and called for journalism that centers victims’ perspectives and promotes peaceful solutions.
Another speaker, Ida Yusnita, a journalist from mediabanjarmasin.com (Indonesia), delivered a presentation titled “Peace: A Human Right We Must Protect Together.” She defined peace not merely as the absence of war, but as a state grounded in security, equality, and justice, requiring collective responsibility.
She outlined the roles of the state, society, and media in achieving peace, emphasizing the importance of good governance, social tolerance, and responsible journalism. She also highlighted the inseparable link between peace and human rights, calling for practical measures such as education in tolerance, anti-discrimination policies, and the strengthening of independent media.
José Nicolás Arroyo Ramos, a journalist, lawyer, and professor from the Dominican Republic, examined how the media environment contributes to polarization and conflict-driven discourse. He introduced the concept of “discursive violence,” referring to communication that reinforces division and hostility even without physical force.
He also noted that in the digital age, emotionally charged and unverified content spreads rapidly, often reducing complex issues to simplistic opposing narratives. As an alternative, he emphasized peace journalism as an approach that investigates root causes, incorporates diverse perspectives, and offers constructive solutions.
Despite being held online, the seminar saw active engagement from participants. Group discussions addressed topics such as hope-driven news and the role of positive narratives in conflict reporting. Participants from Ukraine shared their experiences of journalism during a full-scale war and stressed the importance of positive news in wartime.
The seminar also introduced the Media Association for Global Peace (MAGP), a global network hosted on Substack that connects journalists and NGOs worldwide. The platform is expected to support the global dissemination of peace journalism.
The organizers stated: “This seminar once again confirmed that media are not just channels of information, but key actors in shaping public perception and building peace,” adding, “We will continue to expand global cooperation and the practice of peace journalism by strengthening international networks.”
Official website of the Media Association for Global Peace (MAGP): https://magphq.substack.com/
Photo: event organizers