nfl

Political and economic drivers of Sudan's armed conflict: Implications for the agri-food system [in Arabic]




nfl

Do safety net programs reduce conflict risk? Evidence from a large-scale public works program in Ethiopia

Summary of the findings • We find that the PSNP did not significantly alter the risk of violent events. • However, it had a negative impact on demonstrations (protests and riots) as well as fatalities. • These effects are most pronounced during the period of 2014-18, coinciding with widespread protests in Amhara and Oromia, the […] Source: IFPRI Ethiopia: Ethiopia Strategy Support Program




nfl

Do social protection programs reduce conflict risk? Evidence from a large-scale safety net program in rural Ethiopia

PSNP is largest public works program in Africa • Started in 2005 in four main highland regions • Approximately 8 million participants • We examine the effect of PSNP on both high-intensity and low-intensity conflict • Using Govt. of Ethiopia administrative PSNP records and geocoded data on conflict events (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data […] Source: IFPRI Ethiopia: Ethiopia Strategy Support Program




nfl

Hybrid Research and Policy Conference on “Livestock, Gender, and Agency Amid Conflict in Ethiopia”

The CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies (NPS) presents: 'Livestock, Gender, and Agency Amid Conflict in Ethiopia' 📅 Dec 11, 2024, ILRI Info Center, Addis Ababa. Join us as we discuss CGIAR NPS’s latest findings to guide policies that strengthen Ethiopia’s livestock sector. CGIAR International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Policy Studies Institute […] Source: IFPRI Ethiopia: Ethiopia Strategy Support Program




nfl

Welthunger-Index 2015: Hunger und bewaffnete Konflikte

Die Entwicklungsländer haben seit dem Jahr 2000 Fortschritte bei der Hungerreduzierung gemacht. Der Welthunger-Index 2015 (WHI) zeigt, dass die Hungerwerte dort insgesamt um 27 Prozent gesunken sind. Dennoch bleibt die Hungersituation weltweit „ernst“. In diesem Jahr hat IFPRI zum zehnten Mal den weltweiten Hunger mithilfe dieses multidimensionalen Instruments erfasst.




nfl

Synopses: Welthunger-Index 2015: Hunger und bewaffnete Konflikte

Der Welthunger-Index (WHI) 2015 ist der zehnte in einer Reihe jährlicher Berichte, in denen die Hungersituation weltweit, nach Regionen und auf Länderebene mithilfe eines multidimensionalen Ansatzs dargestellt wird. Er zeigt, dass weltweit seit dem Jahr 2000 Fortschritte bei der Bekämpfung von Hunger erzielt wurden, dass aber angesichts noch immer „ernster“ oder „sehr ernster“ Hungerwerte in 52 Ländern nach wie vor viel zu tun bleibt. Das Thema des vorliegenden Berichts lautet „Hunger und bewaffnete Konflikte“. Konflikt und Hunger stehen in enger Beziehung.




nfl

Does conflict-driven internal displacement influence demand for agricultural inputs? Evidence from Nigeria

Does conflict-driven internal displacement influence demand for agricultural inputs? Evidence from Nigeria

Examining the effectiveness of vouchers and marketing information.

The post Does conflict-driven internal displacement influence demand for agricultural inputs? Evidence from Nigeria appeared first on IFPRI.





nfl

The Socio-Economic Impact of Armed Conflict on Sudanese Urban Households

The Socio-Economic Impact of Armed Conflict on Sudanese Urban Households

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has been concentrated in cities, with major impacts on urban households. Large numbers of families are displaced, employment is down dramatically, and most children are unable to go to school. A comprehensive survey conducted earlier this year by IFPRI’ Sudan Strategy Support Program and the United Nations Development Programme provides […]

The post The Socio-Economic Impact of Armed Conflict on Sudanese Urban Households appeared first on IFPRI.




nfl

Satellite images show devastation in Sudan 1 year since conflict began (ABC News)

Satellite images show devastation in Sudan 1 year since conflict began (ABC News)

"Satellite imagery shows the reduction in green vegetation cover, the increased aridity points to the neglect or destruction of previously irrigated fields” Oliver Kirui told ABC News.

The post Satellite images show devastation in Sudan 1 year since conflict began (ABC News) appeared first on IFPRI.






nfl

The Great Inflation (Classic)

For much of the 1970s inflation was bad. Prices rose at over 10 percent a year. Nothing could stop it — until one powerful person did something very unpopular. Today's show: How we beat inflation. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Night of the living inflation

We look at a hidden form of inflation affecting our economy — we're calling it "skimpflation." The Indicator tells a spooky tale about the inflation demon. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Uncle Sam wants YOU to fight inflation

How war bonds, controlled prices, and a national network of nosy neighbors helped beat inflation during WWII. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Predictions: Inflation!

It's time for another round of "Planet Money Predictions!" Economic forecasters square off to predict the future of inflation and explain what's going on in the economy.| Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

How bad is inflation?

Two stories about the effects of inflation on the economy. We meet a gig worker who's seen an increase in wages, but because of inflation, how much of that increase in earnings is an illusion? Then, we break down how the Federal Reserve is planning to fight inflation. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Two inflation Indicators: Corporate greed and mortgage rates

Corporate profits are soaring. So are prices. Can corporations just not raise prices? Would that fight inflation? We examine this theory making the rounds. Then, we go inside the pipes of the economy to see how mortgage rates connect to that recent rate hike by the Federal Reserve. | Subscribe to our sister podcast, The Indicator from Planet Money. It's daily, and always less than 10 minutes.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Turkey's runaway inflation problem

Turkey is facing really high inflation, over 60 percent. Its president is taking an unorthodox approach to dealing with it. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

The debate over what's causing inflation

The last few months have made us acutely aware of inflation. We all agree that it's making our lives harder, but economists disagree about what's causing it. | Fill out our listener survey: npr.org/podcastsurvey

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

SUMMER SCHOOL 4: Inflation & Drinking Buddies

Inflation can be one of the scariest forces in the economy. As prices rise and your dollar doesn't go as far, you feel poorer, and it's all out of your control. To better understand inflation, we turn to the story of Brazil, where, in the 90s, hyperinflation threatened to derail the whole economy until the country turned to a group of unlikely heroes: four drinking buddies. | Subscribe to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney. |At this Summer School, phones ARE allowed during class... Check out this week's PM TikTok! | Listen to past seasons of Summer School here.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Inflation Reduction Actually

Congress just passed the biggest, most ambitious climate bill in history. And it's called ... the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. What's with that branding? And what can the bill teach us about actually fighting inflation? | Subscribe to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Two Indicators: The 2% inflation target

If the Fed had a mantra to go along with its mandate, it might well be "two percent." We look into how that became the target inflation rate, why some economists are calling for a change and how the inflation rate becomes unanchored.

Subscribe to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Two Indicators: the influencer industry

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut, a doctor or maybe a famous athlete? Today one of the most popular responses to that question is influencer – content creators who grow their following on Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube and monetize that content to make it their full-time job.

In a lot of ways influencing can seem like the dream job - the filters, the followers, the free stuff. But on the internet, rarely is anything as it appears. From hate comments and sneaky contracts to prejudice and discrimination, influencers face a number of hurdles in their chosen careers.

This week we're bringing you two stories from our daily show The Indicator on the promise and perils of the multi-billion dollar influencer industry.

This episode was produced by Corey Bridges and Janet Lee. It was engineered by Robert Rodriguez and Katherine Silva. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and Dylan Sloan. Emily Kinslow was the podcast coordinator for this series. Viet Le is The Indicator's senior producer. Kate Concannon edits the show. Our acting executive producer is Jess Jiang.

Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in
Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Inflation and the Profit-Price Spiral

Economists say that inflation is just too much money chasing too few goods.

But something else can make inflation stick around.

If you think of the 1970s, the last time the U.S. had really high sustained inflation, a big concern was rising wages. Prices for goods and services were high. Workers expected prices to be even higher next year, so they asked for pay raises to keep up. But then companies had to raise their prices more. And then workers asked for raises again. This the so-called wage-price spiral.

So when prices started getting high again in 2021, economists and the U.S. Federal Reserve again worried that wage increases would become a big problem. But, it seems like the wage-price spiral hasn't happened. In fact wages, on average, have not kept up with inflation.

There are now concerns about a totally different kind of spiral: a profit-price spiral. On today's show, why some economists are looking at inflation in a new light.

This episode was produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler and engineered by Katherine Silva, with help from Josh Newell. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and edited by Jess Jiang.

Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in
Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Is economists' favorite tool to crush inflation broken?

When economists and policymakers talk about getting inflation under control, there's an assumption they often make: bringing inflation down will probably result in some degree of layoffs and job loss. But that is not the way things have played out since inflation spiked last year. Instead, so far, inflation has come down, and unemployment has stayed low.

So where does the idea of this tradeoff – between inflation and unemployment – come from?

That story starts in the 1940s, with a soft-spoken electrical engineer-turned-crocodile hunter-turned-economist named Bill Phillips. Phillips was consumed by the notion that there are underlying forces at work in the economy. He thought that if macroeconomists could only understand how those forces work, they could keep the economy stable.

On today's show, how the Phillips Curve was born, why it went mainstream, and why universal truths remain elusive in macroeconomics.

This episode was hosted by Willa Rubin and Nick Fountain, and produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler. It was edited by Molly Messick, and engineered by Maggie Luthar. Sierra Juarez checked the facts.

Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+
in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Indicator exploder: jobs and inflation

When someone says "the economy is doing well"—what does that even mean? Like, for workers, for employers, for the country as a whole? According to what calculation? How do you put a number on it?

The world of economics is filled with all sorts of "measuring sticks." GDP. Inflation. Unemployment. Consumer sentiment. Over time, all kinds of government agencies, universities and private companies have come up with different ways to measure facets of the economy. These measures factor into all kinds of huge decisions—things like government policy, business strategies, maybe even your personal career choices or investments.

On today's show, we're going to lift the curtain on two of these yardsticks. We are going to meet the people tasked with sticking a number on two huge measures of our economic well being: the official U.S. government inflation report and the monthly unemployment and jobs numbers. Come along and see how the measures get made.

This episode was hosted by Darian Woods, Stacey Vanek Smith, and Wailin Wong. It was produced by Julia Ritchey and Jess Kung with help from James Sneed. Engineering by Gilly Moon and James Willetts. It was fact-checked by Michael He and Corey Bridges, and edited by Kate Concannon and Viet Le. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.

Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in
Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Mid-East conflict escalation, two indicators

On today's show, we look at two indicators of the economic disruptions of the war in Gaza and try to trace how far they will reach.

We start in the Red Sea, a crucial link in the global supply chain connecting to the Suez Canal, with around 15% of the world's shipping passing through it. This includes oil tankers and massive container ships transporting everything from microchips to furniture. With Houthi rebels attacking container ships in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, shipping lines are re-routing, adding time and cost to delivery. We look at how ocean shipping is a web more than a chain of links, and try to see which parts of the web can take up more strain as the Red Sea and the Suez Canal become too dangerous to pass.

Then, we'll consider what escalation could mean for the region's most important export: oil. Five steps of escalation each mean a ratcheting up of costs that knock on to other industries, like food. Some prices are likely to rise faster than others, though.

Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Econ Battle Zone: Disinflation Confrontation

After very high inflation, the United States is finally feeling some relief in the form of "disinflation." But, why exactly has inflation slowed down?

Three Planet Money hosts try to answer that question while competing to be the winner of our very own reporting challenge: Econ Battle Zone!

It's economics journalism meets high-stakes reality TV competition! Will our contestants be able to impress our celebrity judges? How will they manage to incorporate their mystery ingredients? Who will take home the championship belt? Tune in for the inaugural episode of...Econ Battle Zone!

This episode was hosted by Keith Romer, Amanda Aronczyk, Erika Beras, and Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi. James Sneed produced this episode with help from Emma Peaslee. The show was edited by Molly Messick, engineered by Cena Loffredo, and fact checked by Sierra Juarez. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.

Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy




nfl

Time names UCLA’s Gaurav Sant among 2024’s top influential climate leaders

The ocean-based carbon removal technology he helped develop could provide an affordable way to mitigate climate change.




nfl

Nation’s “personality” influences its environmental stewardship, shows new study

TORONTO, ON — Countries with higher levels of compassion and openness score better when it comes to environmental sustainability, says research from the University of Toronto. A new study by Jacob Hirsh, an Assistant Professor of Organizational Behaviour & Human Resource Management at the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Institute for Management & Innovation, who is […]



  • Arts
  • Business & Finance
  • Environment & Natural Resources
  • Media Releases
  • University of Toronto

nfl

Rotman School Professor and Former Dean Named as Most Influential Management Thinker in the World

Toronto, ON – A professor and former Dean of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management was named as the number one management thinker in the world by Thinkers50, the premier ranking of global business thinkers. Prof. Roger Martin, the former Dean of the Rotman School from 1998 to 2012, received the honour during […]




nfl

How to Deal with Remote Conflict

Disagreements between work colleagues can get even more uncomfortable and tricky to navigate when you can’t work them out in person.




nfl

Inflation Reduction Act Incentives Could Mean More Business for HVAC Contractors

The IRA provides incentives to homeowners looking to replace old equipment that burns fossil fuels with new high-efficiency systems that is powered by renewable energy, and HVAC contractors are needed to install it.




nfl

Embracing the Future of Energy Efficiency with the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) tax credits and rebates can unlock thousands for residential homeowners looking to upgrade to energy-efficient HVAC equipment.




nfl

11 factors that significantly influence the transformer price (Be careful when specifying)

The majority of utilities are normally extremely well aware of the economic aspects and savings that can be obtained at all stages of the transformer’s life cycle. This is because the purchase of a transformer involves a very high capital... Read more

The post 11 factors that significantly influence the transformer price (Be careful when specifying) appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.




nfl

NFL Alumni Chooses Antares Vision Traceability Solution for Membership Outreach

Antares Vision is collaborating with the National Football League Alumni (NFLA) organization to enhance the NFLA’s new membership outreach efforts, as well as expand its engagement capabilities. Track My Way  is a next-generation  platform that provides data-driven insight into ambassador and chapter membership campaigns.




nfl

US inflation data this week expected to show core CPI moving sideways - risk ahead higher

A note via Bank of America economists on expectations and wariness on US October CPI data due Wednesday at 8.30 am US Eastern time.

BoA expect core CPI to show an increase of 0.3% m/m month

  • holding at 3.3% y/y
  • would be the third consecutive month with a 3.3% core reading

BoA say that looking ahead, the rise is inflation tilted to the upside:

  • "We see pro-growth fiscal policy, tariffs, and tighter immigration as potential sources of upside inflation risk over the coming years if they are implemented"

Higher inflation to come would slow/halt/reverse (you can pick more than one ;-)) Federal Reserve rate cuts.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.




nfl

New York Fed: 1-year inflation expectations 2.9% versus 3.0% last month

  • One year inflation expectations 2.9% versus 3.0% last month. That is the lowest in four years
  • Three-year inflation expectations 2.5% versus 2.7% last month
  • Five-year inflation expectations 2.8% versus 2.9% last month

other details :

  • Consumers in October saw lower likelihood of missing a minimum debt payment for the first time in five months
  • Consumers in October saw lowest likelihood of a rising US unemployment rate over the next year since February 2022
  • Consumers saw lower chance of losing current job and improved prospects for finding a new job if current job were lost
  • Unemployment expectations decline to 34.5%, lowest since February 2022
  • Probability of finding a job increase the highest level since October 2023

This is good news is inflation expectations help to keep a lid on actual inflation. Nevertheless yields remain near highs for the day.

  • 2 year 4.321%, +6.7 basis points
  • 5-year 4.281%, +8.9 basis points
  • 10 year 4.390%, 8.2 basis points

US stocks are lower:

  • Dow -0.38%
  • S&P -0.33%
  • NASDAQ -0.14%
This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.




nfl

Australia - "Wage inflation is moderating as expected"

In brief from WPAC's note:

  • September quarter Wage Price Index below the RBA’s expectation which pointed to a 0.9%qtr rise in both the September and December quarters of 2024
  • Wage inflation peaked at 4.3%yr in December 2023 and has been drifting lower through 2024
  • Wage Price Index (WPI) rose 0.8% (3.5%yr) ... The RBA is currently forecasting annual wages growth to print 3.4%yr for end 2024 and hold at that rate through to June 2025.

***

The WPI should easily come in under that RBA forecast by end 2024. While some will point to slowing wages as a reason to cut rates the RBA is in no hurry, still war of elevated demand and inflation likely to pop back above the top of the 2 - 3% target band once government cost of living subsidies roll off.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.




nfl

US inflation in focus for the day ahead

Broader markets are still largely clinging on to the post-election sentiment this week. However, today will add something different to the mix as we will have the US CPI report in focus. While inflation numbers haven't been too important in recent months, it is one that could still impact trading sentiment. That especially if the disinflation process meets a couple of bumps along the way.

And looking at the expectations for today's report, that might shape up to be the case at least for the October estimates.

Core monthly inflation is expected to nudge up by ~0.30% while headline monthly inflation is expected to nudge up by ~0.21%. Meanwhile, core annual inflation is expected to hold at 3.3% - similar to September. As for headline annual inflation, it is expected to come in a little higher this time at 2.6%.

According to Goldman Sachs, we should be seeing less disinflationary pressures from previously softer components such as airfares and used cars prices. Their estimates show the former increasing by 1.0% this month with the latter up 2.5%. So, that's one part of the argument.

At the balance, the report today should not provide a major reaction if within estimates. I reckon the balance of risks at this point is favouring an outsized reaction on an upside surprise, as compared to a downside miss.

Fed funds futures are showing ~63% odds of a 25 bps rate cut for December and that has been toned down since last week. If there is any upside surprise, the scope for a materially bigger shift in odds there is much wider as compared to a downside miss. So, that's the key consideration now.

Here's Goldman Sachs' playbook in terms of the S&P 500 reaction:

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.




nfl

ECB's Nagel: Core inflation rate is still quite high

  • There are still noticeable price pressures, especially in services sector
  • Trump's tariffs may cause German economy to contract
  • If tariffs come into effect, it could cost Germany 1% in economic output

And therein lies the dilemma for the ECB heading into next year I guess. The good news is that the disinflation process is still progressing, albeit with a few bumps along the way. All else being equal, the argument for further rate cuts should hold heading into 2025.

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.




nfl

BOE's Mann: Inflation has definitely not been vanquished

  • Headline CPI reading not telling us that underlying inflation dynamics have been vanquished
  • Services inflation is pretty sticky
  • Energy prices are more likely to go up than down
  • Sees more volatility and upward bias to some inflation drivers

Do keep in mind that Mann is arguably the most hawkish member among the BOE policy committee. So, her comments here are not as striking as they might seem to be.

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.




nfl

The Creator Economy Takes Center Stage as Creators, Influencers and Brands Meet at NAB Show

Washington, D.C. - In a world where digital innovation is rapidly transforming traditional broadcast, media and entertainment industries, the creator economy has emerged as a driving force, reshaping the landscape and redefining how content is created, distributed and monetized. The Creator Lab is an exciting new addition to the 2024 NAB Show scheduled for April 13-17 (Exhibits April 14-17), at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This groundbreaking show floor experience includes interactive exhibits, expert panels, hands-on workshops and networking events that focus on creators, equipment, distribution channels and monetization techniques.




nfl

New York City’s Local Law 97 Spurs Conflict Over its Potential Effects




nfl

OSCE helps improve safety of movement for people and goods in conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine

SLOVIANSK, Ukraine, 7 April 2016 – The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, at a ceremony in Sloviansk, Donetsk region today, presented representatives of the Infrastructure Ministry’s State Special Transport Service with 15 sets of protective equipment, including vests and helmets, which are to be delivered to local deminers working along transport routes in the east of the country.

The State Special Transport Service is responsible for ensuring the safety of the transport network and for restoring railways and bridges destroyed by hostilities. This often involves clearing mines and unexploded ordnance that threaten civilian transportation routes. 

“Safety of communications is extremely important in the context of sustainable post-conflict recovery, future peace and security in the region,” said Vaidotas Verba, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. “I hope that with our help the Service will be in better position to swiftly and efficiently ensure safer conditions for the movement of people and goods in the conflict-affected areas.”

Since July 2014 the Service has cleared over 300 kilometres of railways in government-controlled areas of Donbas and disposed of more than 4,500 unexploded ordnance, mines and booby traps. This is among the more than 100,000 such dangerous items discovered and destroyed by all organizations working in the region, which are involved in dealing with these remnants of conflict.

To help Ukraine address this new challenge, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator is also training the country's humanitarian deminers on international mine action standards, helping to introduce a modern information management system to improve operations and the inter-agency co-ordination of efforts, and assisting in developing relevant legislation and standards.

Related Stories




nfl

Objective reporting from the conflict zone

Article
Journalists in the battlefield have a responsibility to report objectively in a way which does not inflame tensions. A new manual by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine is helping media workers get the message.
Mon, 2016-07-18 11:47
OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine
Eastern Europe
Media freedom and development

Reporting objectively from a conflict is never easy. Concerns for your own personal safety and daily scenes of death and destruction mean that journalists can be overcome by personal emotion, while feelings of patriotism and “us against them” can be difficult to extinguish.

The professional ethical dilemmas presented by reporting from a conflict zone are very familiar to Anya, a journalist from the city of Donetsk, who has been covering the conflict in and around Ukraine from the beginning.

“It is difficult to remain objective in such situations,” says Anya, fully aware that journalists across all sides of the conflict face similar professional dilemmas. She was among 200 journalists and media experts from both sides of the line of contact who gathered in Mariupol, a city in the south of the Donetsk region, for the Donbas Media Forum from 9 to 12 June 2016 to discuss her personal and professional experiences of reporting on the conflict.

It was clear during the Forum, which was organized by local NGOs such as the Donetsk Institute of Information and the Donetsk Press Club that tensions among journalists deeply persist. These are partly down to the diametrically opposed political reporting on the conflict by the journalists. Indeed most of the journalists from the Donetsk region, including Anya, preferred to remain anonymous at the Forum.

[node id="250356" preset="medium" align="left" description="Oleksiy Matsuka, journalist, founder of the web-based project ‘News of Donbas’ and organiser of the Donbas Media Forum 2016, talks about difficulties media professionals face in the field, Mariupol, 10 June 2016. (Evgeny Sosnovsky)"]

Best practices on objective reporting

The discussions at the Forum explored ways of enhancing the professionalism of the reporting in ways which can help rekindle trust between communities and counter deliberate misreporting.

One of the tools presented was 'Conflict Sensitive Journalism - Best Practices and Recommendations’, a new manual published by the Officer of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. Among many other things, the guide offers tips on how to work with vulnerable populations or how to verify facts and illustrates in plain language and through real-life case studies what media professionals need to do in the field in order to enhance their reporting.

“The guidelines aim to both advance the safety of journalists covering the conflict in Ukraine and support the development of conflict-sensitive media coverage”, says OSCE PCU National Project Officer Maryna Bezkorovaina.

A threat to peace

Objective reporting from the conflict zone is important, because misreporting and propaganda can inflame tensions. The manual is therefore a product aiming to contribute to efforts to bring peace in Ukraine.

The lack of interest in and the dehumanization of the “other side” can threaten the potential for sustainable peace, says journalist Dejan Anastasijević with the Serbian weekly Vreme. At the Donbas Media Forum, he recalled his experiences as a correspondent on the Yugoslav wars of secession. “Do not make the situation worse by using harsh language against each other.”

The handbook features the results of a study implemented by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in partnership with the Ukrainian NGOs Telekritika and the Institute of Mass Media, which revealed serious misconceptions among leading editors and prominent Ukrainian journalists regarding the role of the media in times of conflict.

[node id="250361" preset="medium" align="left" description="Dejan Anastasijevic, Serbian journalist from Vreme newspaper states: “Do not make the situation worse by using harsh language against each other,” in a panel discussion at the Forum in Mariupol, 10 June 2016. (Evgeny Sosnovsky)"]

The study highlighted over-generalized reporting, narratives characterised by an 'us' versus 'them' perspective, inflammatory language and dehumanization of the conflict sides. Half of the analysed national online publications reported incomplete information about the conflict, while about a quarter of the material primarily relied on data from social networks. Moreover, the problems and needs of the people living in the areas not controlled by the Ukrainian government received little or no coverage.

“Journalists need to understand that they are not soldiers fighting for a particular side,” says Oleksiy Matsuka, a journalist and founder of the web-based project ‘News of Donbas’. “The manual helps journalists return to the origins and basic rules of their profession.”

The manual was a crucial element of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s “Supporting Conflict Sensitive Journalism in Ukraine” project, which is partially funded by the Government of the United Kingdom and the International Media Support (IMS) NGO. The manual draws on the most up-to-date practices based on the highest quality academic research.

The book was also earlier presented in Lviv Media Forum, in western Ukraine, and English, Ukrainian and Russian versions of the book are available on the OSCE website and as an app for iOS and Android devices.

“It is extremely useful for journalists to have a handbook they can easily access whenever and wherever they need it,” says Mariana Seminishin, organizer of the Lviv Media Forum. “The manual provides both life-saving information and guidance that could pave the way for peace in Ukraine.” 

Related Stories




nfl

Video Game History Doc 'It's In The Game: Madden NFL' First Trailer

"This was a piece of culture, it wasn't just a video game." Prime Video has revealed an official trailer for a documentary series called It's In The Game: Madden NFL, streaming at the end of November this fall. Sports fans shouldn't miss this! It’s one of the biggest video games of all time, a groundbreaking brand that became a worldwide phenomenon, spanning generations—but it almost never happened... This is the true story. This doc series is about the beloved, mega popular Madden NFL football video game series - which originally launched in 1988 with the classic John Madden Football (for MS-DOS & Apple II). Now, 36 years after the first game's original release, EA Sports gives viewers unprecedented access to the makers of game that changed the game, and our culture too. Presented by Prime Video and A+E Factual Studios group. "You can learn everything from playing a video game." So much footage in here. This looks like it will cover not only the cultural impact and extraordinary legacy the game has, but also the origins and how hard it was to create the first few versions of Madden games many years ago. It's a 4-part doc series event to […]




nfl

A Looming Political Earthquake: Inflation Reduction Act’s unprecedented climate spending—much of it uninvestigated—may soon lead to unprecedented scandals

https://www.city-journal.org/article/the-inflation-reduction-act-a-looming-political-earthquake By Mark P. Mills If it weren’t for the election season swamping news coverage, odds are more people would be talking about the revelation that, to quote a Bloomberg headline, “The World Bank Somehow Lost Track of at Least $24 Billion.” In fact, that may understate the reality: the World Bank’s “accounting gap” could be as […]




nfl

Trump wins U.S. presidency! Net Zero, UN climate pacts, Green New Deal & Inflation Reduction Act face ruin

Climate Depot's Marc Morano: "Congratulations to President Trump and Sen. J.D. Vance. Finally, US leadership has returned to fight the international climate agenda. The U.S. will finally have a president back in the Oval Office who will be pro-science, pro-environment, and fight the demented net zero climate agenda, the Green New Deal, and the UN climate treaty process.

President Trump will also be able to face off against the ridiculous, unsustainable, and unscientific claims that emanate from our most esteemed institutions. America will once again be a beacon of scientific realism regarding climate change and energy policy. Bravo!"