The Mass Media and the Rwandan Genocide: Toward a more responsible coverage
| dc.contributor.advisor | Bergen, Lori | |
| dc.contributor.author | Udomah, Justin Mathias | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2020-10-02T13:49:45Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2020-10-02T13:49:45Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2009-08 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The Hutus rose against the Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994 in an unrestricted pogrom that took away 800,000 innocent lives within a short period of hundred days. Proportionately, that number would translate into a whooping 8,000 deaths a day if the cost of the genocide were to be calculated per day. With the local media on the side of the killers, what did the international media do to help stop the killing? What could they have done? And what should be done so that this sort of disaster does not continue to befall humanity? These questions, considered within the context of media social responsibility, constitute the reason for this ethical investigation into the media coverage of the Rwandan genocide, as well as a reflection on a strategic plan or plans of action that would ensure a more responsible coverage in potential situations. This study is consistent with many authors who argue that news coverage has to be socially responsible by being existentially objective, promoting respect for the sacredness of human life, and operating from the angle of care-based ethics. Responsible news coverage should not only be truthful, fair and balanced but must also impact the society positively in a tremendous way. While acknowledging existing media models of intervention in crisis situations, the predicament is a socio-political concern that demands a far-reaching solution, a sanatio in radice. To provide the needed solution, the educational base of journalism as a discipline should be broadened and deepened so that journalism students may be well equipped intellectually and skillfully for the difficult job of reporting conflicts of genocidal nature. Moreover, conflict coverage should be considered a necessary and restricted area of specialization in schools of journalism into which only highly intelligent and brave students ought to be admitted. | |
| dc.description.department | Journalism and Mass Communication | |
| dc.format | Text | |
| dc.format.extent | 137 pages | |
| dc.format.medium | 1 file (.pdf) | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Udomah, J. M. (2009). The mass media and the Rwandan genocide: Toward a more responsible coverage (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10877/12688 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | genocide | |
| dc.subject | ethnic relations | |
| dc.subject | public opinion | |
| dc.subject | mass media | |
| dc.subject | Rwanda | |
| dc.title | The Mass Media and the Rwandan Genocide: Toward a more responsible coverage | |
| dc.type | Thesis | |
| thesis.degree.department | Journalism and Mass Communication | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Texas State University-San Marcos | |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Arts |
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