Information is the power of our times, and journalism being our collective source of information, shaping our view of the world, holds a unique power—to potentially inform, but also to connect or divide.
By Yousr Sharawy, from Alexandria
At aidóni, our belief in slow-journalism and conflict-sensitive reporting brought us together as a community of journalists to reflect on our narrative craft. Today, we’re excited to launch our “Community-Centred Peace Journalism Guide: Advice from Local Peacebuilders to Journalists”, a resource born out of real conversations and shared experiences at PeaceCon 2024.
peacecon 2024 workshop
Our journey started at PeaceCon 2024 with a practical experiment. In a time when digital noise deepens our divides, our team organised the workshop “(Story)Telling Your Peace: Crafting a Collaborative Guide on Reframing Peacebuilding Journalism.” Co-hosted by the Alliance for Peacebuilding and the United States Institute of Peace, this event gathered peacebuilders, journalists, and media professionals from around the globe, all eager to rethink how we cover conflict and peace.
During the workshop, participants got hands-on by splitting into groups and tackling a prepared conflict scenario. Each group worked on a news article from opposing sides—one defending the status quo, the other pushing for change. Through these discussions, it became clear that even stories intended to be balanced can inadvertently deepen divisions. This exercise underscored a vital point: we need a way to tell stories that are richer, more inclusive, and deeply rooted in the human experience. It is not merely about what we deem as “sensitive reporting,” but about learning what biases go subliminally to the collective so that journalists, peacebuilders, and audiences gauge sensitivity towards the everyday headlines.
Reflecting on Sensitive-Reportage
What emerged from that workshop is not a strict manual but a flexible framework—a set of 12 recommendations grounded in a decolonial, livelihoods-first perspective. This guide challenges the conventional focus on violence, sensationalism, and hasty generalisations. Instead, it turns the spotlight on the quiet, determined work of local peacebuilders and everyday people striving for reconciliation.
Traditional conflict reporting often misses the full picture. It can leave us with dramatic headlines referring to “groups” or “entities,” not zooming into the human scale. With our guide, we invite you to explore a more thoughtful, inclusive approach to journalism. It’s about providing historical and social context, embracing diverse perspectives, and above all, telling stories that resonate on a human level.
Whether you’re reporting from the frontlines, editing a newsroom’s strategy, or teaching the next generation of journalists, this guide offers practical tools and adaptable frameworks. Its goal is to help you reflect on your own biases, foster empathy, and ultimately produce work that captures the complexities and nuances of conflict and peace.
Our Mission and Vision
This guide is just the beginning. We see it as a living document—one that will continue to grow and evolve. Although this first edition may not capture every voice, especially those most directly affected by conflict, we’re dedicated to continously revising it. We plan to incorporate interviews, case studies, and new insights from the field as they become available.
At aidóni, our mission is clear: we want to use journalism as a catalyst for dialogue, understanding, and change. We’re committed to connecting journalists with the voices of those who experience conflict firsthand. This guide is part of our broader effort to ensure that every story told contributes to a more democratic, inclusive, and compassionate society.
Our vision is to shift the narrative. Instead of focusing solely on turmoil and violence, we believe journalism should highlight resilience, local solutions, and the power of collective action. By centring human stories, we can inspire communities, spark constructive debates, and empower people to imagine a more optimistic future.
Join Us in Reimagining Journalism
We are not merely launching a guide; we are starting an impactful conversation. Whether you are a journalist, editor, educator, or simply someone who cares about the power of storytelling, we invite you to join us. Share your perspectives, challenge our ideas, and help us refine this resource. Together, we can build a more thoughtful, inclusive, and impactful approach to conflict reporting—one that truly reflects the diverse voices of the communities we serve.
Let’s craft human-centered stories, together!
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