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The media's reporting of war crimes trials and its impact on post-conflict democracy in Sierra Leone and Liberia

  • Bernadette Cole
    ,
  • Jon Silverman
  • University of Sierra Leone
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Abstract

The application of international humanitarian law (IHL) to conflicts in Africa has been the subject of some scholarly and much journalistic discourse about the ending of ‘impunity’ and an extension of the normative principles of transitional justice. The trials conducted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) were brought to audiences in both countries by a media that has had scant experience in grap - pling with such weighty jurisprudential concepts. A research project is examining attitudes towards the reporting of two of those trials. This article discusses prelimi - nary findings from the research and argues that the media is performing a wider role in legitimizing post-conflict governance by providing a platform for civil society organizations.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 53-67

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of African Media Studies (Volume 5, Issue 1)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/03/2013

Publication status

Published - 01/03/2013

ISSN

2040-199X

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/594883
  • Scopus: 84880092432

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