Fredsjournalistik i svensk krigs- och konfliktrapportering. En kvalitativ intervjustudie om journalistiska ideal

Abstract

Title: Fredsjournalistik i svensk utrikesrapportering : En kvalitativ studie av journalistiska ideal Authors: Annaclara Hjalmarsson, Lisa Lind Nilsson och Emilia Olsson Level: Bachelor thesis in Journalism Term: Autumn 2024 Supervisor: Bengt Johansson Pages/words: 53 pages, 20108 words (including abstract and appendix). Aim of thesis: The study aims to examine how editors and managers responsible for foreign news coverage at Swedish newspapers reason about the principles in Johan Galtung’s Peace Journalism. Method: This method of study consists of qualitative in-depth interviews with five editors and managers responsible for foreign news coverage at some of the most read Swedish newspapers. Theoretical framework: This thesis is based upon Johan Galtung’s (et al) theories on Peace Journalism, which advocates for news media to actively seek to contribute to peace negotiation and solutions to wars and conflicts. Results: There is a consensus amongst the editors and managers interviewed for this thesis, regarding the emphasis on reporting how the conflicts affect civilians and to give voice to the afflicted. This aligns with the principles of Peace Journalism where Galtung emphasizes reporting on the human side of conflicts. Objectivity is a central value for all interviewees although some mentioned that there is a side which they feel they always can take, that of human rights and civilians. Most editors and managers indicated a desire to increase the use of foreign correspondents, but this comes with challenges, particularly in financial terms. They acknowledged that they also want to cover peace initiatives more than just the mere negotiation – as Peace Journalism advocates – but it is difficult for multiple reasons. Information is often inaccessible, the processes are complex, and the audience tends to be less interested in these events, making it a partially commercial issue. In conclusion, this paper suggests a spectrum of reasoning for the ideals rather than two distinct types that either appeal to Peace or War Journalism. None of the respondents fully adheres to either of the theories, but there is a variation amongst the answers.