Listening to the Today programme driving into work and the hell that must be the Gaza Strip. I found myself thinking about what type of communications are taking place or in some cases not taking place.
There is the public announcements from both sides to justify the stance that they are taking.
There is the media focus on both sides seeking to promote that they have just cause. There is the so called “independent” media all seeking a unique angle.
There are the independent “diplomatic peace” parties from the EU, US and Arab states who are seeking a solution and wishing to open up communications between the two sides to bring about a cessation of hostilities.
There is the communication within the armed groups from both sides organising the tit for tat rocket launches/bombings.
There is the lack of communication within the communities affected by the hostilities where communications have been cut. Families trying to get news of friends and relatives both within the communities and around the world.
What role the media in this – could they use their tremendous influence to smooth the hostilities, stop hyping up the situation and help to bring about a ceasefire. The power of the written word could bring about the power of the spoken word and who knows a solution for those suffering the day to day hell which is Gaza.
Those living in the Gaza strip would just like to communicate tothe greater world that in the main they have nothing that they have done wrong and yet they are being communicated to teh world as being a problem that has to be resolved by military actions.
Wars are papers sellers and the more that can be communicated about what is suppose to be the problems and the way these problems are being addressed then the more the papers will sell.
The art of mis-communication is not new but the power of the people is. After Hillsborough when 90+ Liverpool fans died the Sun newspaper made comments about what happened that were not true – the sale of that paper almost died over night.
If we believe that thos in Gaza need to have the real right to say what is the situation there then lets stop the world communication on this and bring about a chance for the real truth to be said.
Wars never solve problems – real communications does
P