Media and Peace Process

Abstract

Conflict exists and is a pervasive feature in all societies. Militancy has been plaguing the Northeastern region over many decades. Assam one of the states in the region has been witness to a long period of conflict.The state of Assam which is located in the northeast of India is considered a peripheral region from governance point of view. The state shares international borders with Bangladesh and Bhutan. The society of Assam consists of social groups having diverse religion, culture, language and ways of life. Historically,successive waves of migration at different times and from different directions through ancient times made the population of Assam diverse with a multiplicity of race, religion and culture.At contemporary times over a period , inter- ethnic division and conflict have grown among different ethnic groups for various reasons emerging out of identity, alienation,exclusion and lack of political representation or through misrepresentation. However, the focus of this study is specifically on conflict and peace process arising out of movements based on demands for separation or sovereigntyand#8223; by group called ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) a declared militant outfit and the role of Media in Conflict and Peace Process between the Government of India and the armed organization with self-procliamed goal of achieving sovereignty . As the conflict has continued in last few decades the question arises is how has the conflict scenario changed and evolved? To understand this projection of conflict and peace in the Media or coverage by the news media in Assam on issues of conflict and peace in particular the peace process between the Government of India and ULFA is seen as vital. Here the study is on discourse over the peace process in Assam. Also trying to critically understand the politics of representation in media affecting news, the endeavor is looking into these evolving aspects of conflict and peace process in the media and its news making role in the context of conflict resolution in Assam...