conflict & communication online, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2021
www.cco.regener-online.de
ISSN 1618-0747

Autorname
Constructive coverage of negotiations

Starting from the escalation dynamics of conflicts and the principles of cooperative conflict resolution, the present article develops recommendations for how media can report constructively on negotiations and give peaceful conflict settlement a chance. To ensure this and create reasonable commonality between negotiators and the public, coverage must begin already before negotiations, and it must critically accompany the negotiating process, comprehensively inform the public on the outcomes of negotiations and explain why a proposed conflict resolution is or should be acceptable for all involved parties. Difficulties arising during the negotiation process must not be taken as opportunities to throw in the towel, and any rule violations by conflict parties should not be met with accusations of guilt, but rather should be countered with rational arguments.

The author:
Wilhelm Kempf is Professor emeritus of Psychological Methodology and Peace Research at the University of Konstanz, Germany. Since 2002 he is the editor of conflict & communication online (www.cco.regener-online.de). His fields of research include quantitative and qualitative research methodology, nonviolent conflict resolution, peace journalism and the construction of social reality by the mass media. He currently works on a research project on “Criticizing Israel, coming to terms with German history and differentiating aspects of modern anti-Semitism”.
eMail: cco@regener-online.de, Website: http://www.pfkn.regener-online.de/