Media as a conflict
escalator
and a
conflict resolver
CONFLICT
& PEACE
How does social
CREDITS
media amplify
conflict?
The Conflict Theory is
a social theory which
states that society is in
What’s meant by conflict? a constant state of
conflict due to
competition for limited
resources
Conflict becomes
A conflict is a serious difference between opposing ideas, beliefs or opinions. war when violence
escalates and
Antagonistic actions are provoked due to armed forces are
contradicting ideas which are often violent or involved, leading to
abusive. widespread
destruction.
Conflict arises amongst
individuals on social media due
to how they provide a
How does permanent and highly visible
platform for disputes.
the media
heighten Media contains misinformation
and propaganda about current
international conflicts which may
conflict? cause disputes to escalate to
being verbally abusive or even
life threatening.
Media also plays an essential
role in conflict resolution.
Media
Awareness about current
as a disputes educates the public
about what’s really happening
conflict in the world.
Dialogue is facilitated and
resolver empathy is promoted among
opposing parties, ultimately
fostering a more peaceful and
just society.
What is international
conflict?
This is the conflict that
occurs between different
nation-states.
International armed conflict is a
state of armed violence between
Causes and types of two or more countries, involving
international conflict
their armed forces.
Territorial conflict
Territorial disputes erupt when nations,
groups, or individuals clash over control
of a geographic area. Battles of Narvik
The cause of this conflict is often related 1940
to possession of resources, nationalist This was a military conflict fought
claims and historical ties to the land. between German and Allied
(British, French and Norwegian)
forces during WWII.
The German Invasion of Norway, 1940
Germany, seeking to secure iron ore supply from Sweden,
invaded Norway on April 9, 1940.
April 10-14 May 18th
British and French warships engaged The battle for Narvik was the first time
German destroyers (warships) that British, French, Polish and Norwegian
in the fjords near Narvik. forces fought together. And they won.
The recapture of Narvik is considered Hitler's first defeat in World War II.
However, the victory was short lived.
What is international
On June 7th,
conflict?
Great Britain and France ordered
a full withdrawal,
Norwegian forces were left alone
and were forced to lay down their
weapons on June 8th, 1940.
without informing Norway.
The battle of Narvik was the largest battle on Norwegian soil.
Media’s role in this
The media played a significant
role in the Narvik War,
public opinion was shaped
through propaganda, mobilizing
support, and influencing
international relations,
Narvik War map while governments censored
reports to control the narrative.
Religious conflicts
Religious conflicts are defined as disputes or
The Israeli Palestinian War hostilities that arise between different
2023 religious groups or within a single religious
The conflict between community, often involving a mix of
Palestine and Israel is one of religious and political motivations.
the longest and brutal The main causes are rival interests (power,
conflicts the world has ever status or value)
witnessed.
The Israeli and Hamas-led War, 2023
May 15, 1948 – March 10, 1949 October 7th, 2023
The Arab-Israeli War of 1948 broke out The Hamas waged the deadliest
when five Arab nations invaded territory attack on the Jews since The
in the former Palestinian mandate. Holocaust.
Middle East
Israel launched four protracted military assaults on Palestine over the years
2008, 2012, 2014 and 2021.
In January 2025, after 15 months of war, Israel and Hamas agreed a deal to
halt the war and release Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
This was one of the longest running wars the world has ever witnessed.
The public argued about
this war due to their
contradicting views on
How did social media platforms,
this leaded to heated
the media disputes, hate speech and
threats.
impact this Misinformation was
circulated,
conflict? which further
amplified disputes.
Social media and news
Media’s channels raised significant
awareness about the reality of
this war and protests broke
positive out to promote a ceasefire.
impacts Fundraisers were created to
help refugees seek safety and
provide for those in poverty
due to the war.
Ethnic conflicts
Ethnic conflict arises between different ethnic
groups due to disparities and politics.
Cultural factors such as problematic group histories,
stereotypical perceptions, and grievances over Zambia had major-scale
cultural discrimination—including limitations on conflicts like the Chachacha
religious and cultural practices, unequal educational campaign, Lumpa Uprising,
opportunities, and restrictions on the use of minority and fights with
languages are common causes of ethnic conflict. Rhodesia(Zimbabwe).
Zambia's support for anti-racial and
anti-colonial movement groups in
Rhodesia (current-day Zimbabwe) in
the 1970s and 1980s instigated major
external tensions.
The white-minority regime in
Rhodesia struck back against Zambia
in revenge for sheltering groups such
as the Zimbabwe African People's
Zambia political map Union (ZAPU).
Disinformation and ethnic
divisions could be spread
using social media based
on these conflicts.
Media’s
Zambia's media can help
resolve national conflicts
impacts
by promoting peace and
dialogue, informing the
on this
public, and holding power
accountable through
investigative journalism.
Avoiding
conflict on
social media
Combat misinformation
Ignore or block users who Keep biases in mind
try to promote disputes.
If necessary, in cases of Question content that provokes emotion
harm threats, hate speech Only consider news from credible sources
and misinformation Don’t take breaking news as fact.
circulation, report the user.
CITATIONS & CREDITS
https://learn.rumie.org/jR/bytes/3-ways-to-manage-conflict-on-social-media/ Images from
https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/57237
https://www.britannica.com https://unsplash.com
https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/ap-hug/territorial-disputes https://www.google.com/url?
https://warmuseum.no/exhibition/the-battle-of-narvik-facts-wall/
q=https://johnwynnehopkins.
netflix.com
https://www.bbc.co.uk
wordpress.com
https://www.royalcourt.no https://www.google.com/url?
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/how-neutral-norway-fell-to-the-german- q=https://greydynamics.com
blitzkrieg-in-1940 https://pinterest.com
https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/munitions-of-the-mind/2022/02/23/misinformation-
mass-observation-and-the-public-perception-of-the-norway-campaign-1940/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/conflict-theory
https://brill.com/downloadpdf/display/book/9789004270862/B978900427086
2_009.pdf
