Throughout the course of our involvement in the resolution of land and natural resource disputes, as well as the growth of our network, we have been contacted on multiple occasions by various stakeholders in relation to a conflict that has gained considerable media attention. These communications can involve a request for us to mediate the dispute in question or simply to discuss it. On other occasions, we have been contacted to address a situation that was reported in the media as a dispute, only to discover upon further investigation that the parties involved did not view the matter as a conflict requiring intervention.

It is undeniable that viral media reports can generate a sense of urgency. This may be accurate, as media reports can draw the attention of those involved in the conflict, and thus public attention can often create the need to act swiftly. However, at the local level, we have encountered numerous conflicts that have endured for an extended period of time, and have even been reported to the relevant authorities, yet have remained unaddressed and unrecognized until now. This raises a question that is of great concern to us: does a dispute over land and natural resources need to be reported in the media in order to attract the attention of stakeholders and authorities in order to be addressed? Additionally, if this is true, does this not constitute a paradox in the context of conflict resolution through mediation? Furthermore, how should the mediator or the conflict handling organization respond to this paradox?

It is paradoxical that, in the context of conflict resolution through mediation, the coverage of mass media, particularly that which goes viral, can have an impact on the process of conflict resolution and the eventual agreement between the parties. The media has a considerable influence on the formation of public opinion, influencing the understanding of the cause of the conflict and the potential resolution, which can affect the conflict resolution process. The media can assist in elevating a conflict and putting pressure on the relevant authorities to act, however, in order to capture the attention of readers or viewers, many media outlets are inclined to present the news in a sensationalized manner, often blaming one of the parties. This can lead to the public or authorities perceiving one of the parties in a negative light.

Moreover, when media coverage exerts pressure on the parties to negotiate a resolution of the issue, it also diminishes the voluntariness and dedication of the parties, which tends to compel them to quickly accept a suboptimal compromise solution. Curiously, while media coverage is perceived as promoting transparency, it can disrupt the process as it disregards the principle of confidentiality, which constitutes one of the cornerstones of mutual trust between conflicting parties in the conflict resolution process.

The necessity of addressing a genuine dispute should not be predicated solely on its viral nature, but must be returned to the essential criteria for managing conflict, namely the willingness, dedication, and voluntariness of the parties to seek a path towards peace. Only once the willingness and commitment of the parties have been established, should the process of resolving conflicts through mediation or other resolution methods commence.

In brief, the fact that a story becomes viral should not be the deciding factor as to whether a conflict is given priority. There should be other means of communication which can be utilized by the parties involved to ensure that the conflict is brought to the attention of relevant authorities without the need for sensationalized media coverage. In point of fact, some organizations and corporations have implemented grievance procedures, yet the fact that stories become viral in the media indicates that these procedures are not being utilized to their fullest potential.

Mediators and institutions tasked with conflict resolution must be cognizant of the dichotomous role of media coverage in the conflict resolution process. The exposure of such conflicts to the media is unavoidable, thus necessitating a judicious approach to ensure that the media does not impede the process, but rather serves to foster dialogue, promote mutual understanding, and bolster support for the parties to reach a settlement.

Photo by zgr_pro.