Overview

The world faces explosive conflicts about the distribution and scarcity of resources, about ethnicity and religion, and about the risks of urban life. These conflicts can easily spiral out of control toward mass slaughter-an evil of huge proportions that is often escalated by the media. What should be done to prevent this lethal trend? We need to understand how the 'spiral of escalation' works. How do media create anxiety, provide space for agitation, and disconnect people? Three approaches to the prevention of mass mediated aggression are proposed in this book: an early warning system for incitement to mass destruction, the invitation to disarming conversations in urban space, and the teaching of 'compassionate communication' to children and others. Alertness to the recurrence of collective violence is urgently needed not only in unstable and poor societies, but also in established democracies. Ordinary people can be incited to the mass slaughter of other ordinary people anywhere. Understanding the media's role in this and acting to prevent it are key goals of this book.

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9781594516436

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What a timely book-when the media try to limit the discussion of the Middle East to escalating violence right now, leaving out both the past and the future. Hamelink's three proposals, early warning (opening the future), disarming conversations (anti-escalation) and 'compassionate communication' (about suffering, about joy) should be read and understood by all, moguls and pundits alike. -Johan Galtung, Professor of Peace Studies and founder of TRANSCEND Cees Hamelink brings a breadth and depth of experience, and of political and ethical commitment, to presenting potential everyday solutions to enormous problems that can easily appear beyond our capacity to solve. In particular, he serves as a seasoned guide to the roles of media and information embedded in these problems and their solutions. -John D. H. Downing, Emeritus Founding Director, Global Media Research Center, Southern Illinois University This is vintage Cees Hamelink as incomparable provocateur imbued with a social purpose. This book alerts us to the reality of the cycle of good and evil, humans who look the other way rather than defuse conflict, the need for mindfulness in the everyday, and the role of media institutions in escalating evil through dehumanizing representations. -Bella Mody, de Castro Chair in Global Media, University of Colorado-Boulder Cees Hamelink has written an eloquent and important book about the importance of both personal communication and mass media in counteracting the evils of war and conflict. He opines that it is not enough for communicators to report. They must also educate and warn against repetition of crimes against humanity. -Howard Tumber, City University-London In this wide-ranging book on an all too timely topic, Cees Hamelink asks key questions about the role of media in collective violence, and he suggests thought-provoking answers. -Susan Benesch, Senior Fellow, World Policy Institute

“What a timely book—when the media try to limit the discussion of the Middle East to escalating violence right now, leaving out both the past and the future. Hamelink’s three proposals, early warning (opening the future), disarming conversations (anti-escalation) and ‘compassionate communication’ (about suffering, about joy) should be read and understood by all, moguls and pundits alike.” —Johan Galtung, Professor of Peace Studies and founder of TRANSCEND “Cees Hamelink brings a breadth and depth of experience, and of political and ethical commitment, to presenting potential everyday solutions to enormous problems that can easily appear beyond our capacity to solve. In particular, he serves as a seasoned guide to the roles of media and information embedded in these problems and their solutions.” —John D. H. Downing, Emeritus Founding Director, Global Media Research Center, Southern Illinois University “This is vintage Cees Hamelink as incomparable provocateur imbued with a social purpose. This book alerts us to the reality of the cycle of good and evil, humans who look the other way rather than defuse conflict, the need for mindfulness in the everyday, and the role of media institutions in escalating evil through dehumanizing representations.” —Bella Mody, de Castro Chair in Global Media, University of Colorado–Boulder “Cees Hamelink has written an eloquent and important book about the importance of both personal communication and mass media in counteracting the evils of war and conflict. He opines that it is not enough for communicators to report. They must also educate and warn against repetition of crimes against humanity.” —Howard Tumber, City University–London “In this wide-ranging book on an all too timely topic, Cees Hamelink asks key questions about the role of media in collective violence, and he suggests thought-provoking answers.” —Susan Benesch, Senior Fellow, World Policy Institute

Author Information

Cees J. Hamelink is currently Professor of Human Rights and Public Health at the Athena Institute at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and Professor of Management of Information and Knowledge for Sustainable Development at the University of Aruba in Oranjestad, Aruba as well as Professor Emeritus of International Communication at the University of Amsterdam. He worked as a foreign correspondent for radio and television and was formerly a policy adviser and researcher for several intergovernmental organizations and national governments. He is editor-in-chief of the International Communication Gazette, is the Honorary President of the International Association for Media and Communication Research, and has authored sixteen books on communication, culture, and human rights.

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