Activists urge coverage of peace efforts

Germelina Lacorte, Inquirer News Service
December 8 , 2004

Editor's Note: Published on page A19 of the December 8, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines -- Groups critical of the US war against terror are equally critical of how the media have been covering stories, saying much of what is happening in the world has been left unreported.

David Wildman of the US-based United Methodist Church claimed that in the recently concluded US elections, a huge number of Black Americans were unable to vote because of fraud. However, this remained unreported in the media, just as the growing sentiment against the US war on Iraq was being left out in the news.

"The media can be an unwitting tool for empire," said Prof. Maake Masango of South Africa, a member of the executive committee of the World Council of Churches.

By empire, he said that he meant how the US is trying to assert dominance in political, economic and military affairs of world.

Masango said that the US antiterror war has taken the "discourse" of the battle of good against evil, "demonizing the Muslims and those who fight for peace."

That's why, he said, it is important for various faiths all over the world to cut through their language, to tell the world that the war against Iraq and Afghanistan are "not God's will and to stand in brotherhood with all faiths of the world."

"It's important for us to reject the media's incorrect portrayals of Muslims as 'terrorists,' and to tell stories of peace that will inspire the world," Masango told reporters during the concluding ceremony of the first People's Forum on Peace for Life held here.

Over 300 people from all various countries attended the summit, which started last week.

Masango said that the suffering of people in Mindanao is another face of the US war of aggression and that the international community needs to know what is happening here.

But he said this can only be done if things get reported in the media.

"We, in South Africa can learn only about what is happening in Mindanao through you, so, I hope, you will participate in this role. Please, don't fail your own people," Masango said, addressing the media.

PDI Mindanao Bureau