The Role of Media in Conflict Resolution: Analyzing Peacebuilding Strategies and Communication in the Kashmir  Conflict

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56830/IJHMPS06202503

Keywords:

Media Role, National Security, Economic Development, Humanitarian Crisis, Violations, Framing Theory, Peace Journalism, Biasness

Abstract

This study examines the media's role in shaping peacebuilding strategies and communication to resolve the conflict in Kashmir. This study typically focuses on the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir from August 2019 to October 2019. It also highlights how Indian and Pakistani media outlets framed the abrogation of Article 370. Using a qualitative content analysis of prime newspapers from both countries, such as Dawn and The Nation from Pakistan and The Times of India and The Hindu from India, the research finds different patterns in media coverage. The findings disclose that Indian media predominantly presents its move as a need for development and security concerns. Pakistan's media frames this issue as a violation of self-determination and international law. These distinct narratives contribute to influencing public perception, policymaking, and geopolitical tension. This study concludes that media framing plays a crucial role in building narratives; they need to promote peace journalism techniques to resolve the conflict among the conflicting parties. This study also highlights fostering balanced and unbiased reporting for the long-term solution.   

References

Ahmad, S. B., & Sajjad, F. W. (2024). Unveiling narratives: Indian and

Pakistani media framing of Article 370 revocation. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 7(2). https://pjia.com.pk/index.php/pjia/article/view/1050.

Dawn.com. (2019). India revokes occupied Kashmir's special autonomy through a rushed presidential decree. https://www.dawn.com/news/1498169.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, I. ((n.d)). The Kashmir problem. In Britannica. :

Retrieved May 28, 2025, from

https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indiansubcontinent/The-Kashmir-problem.

Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.14602466.1993.tb01304.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1993.tb01304.x

Ercoşkun, B. (2021). On Galtung's approach to peace studies. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47478/lectio.792847

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348576067_On_Galtung's_Appr oach_to_Peace_Studies.

Hernández, R. (2020). The media and conflict: A Case study overview reporting on the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan. Global Media Journal, 18(34). https://www.globalmediajournal.com/open-access/themedia-and-conflict-case-study-overview-reporting-on-the-kashmirconflict-between-india-and-pakistan.pdf.

Hindustan Times. (2023). Article 370 verdict: What Pakistani media said as SC upholds Centre's abrogation decision. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/article-370-verdict-whatpakistani-media-said-as-sc-upholds-centres-abrogation-decisi.

Islam, A. (2016). How Indian and Pakistani media are covering Kashmir unrest. DW. https://www.dw.com/en/how-indian-and-pakistani-media-arecovering-kashmir-unrest/a-19562791.

Khalid, W. (2020). Media propaganda and the Kashmir dispute: A case study of the Kashmir floods. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/our-research/media-propagandaand-kashmir-dispute-case-study-kashmir.

Khan, A., & Khan, A. (2020). A comparative analysis of India and Pakistan's newspaper coverage of the Kashmir conflict. NUST Journal of International Peace and Stability, 3(1), 39–44. https://njips.nust.edu.pk/index.php/njips/article/view/39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37540/njips.v3i1.39

Khan, A.; Raza, A. (2024). Indian and Pakistani media framing of Article 370. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 4(1), 1–20. https://pjia.com.pk/index.php/pjia/article/view/1050.

Nation., T. (2019). India revokes Articles 370 and 35A of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution. https://www.nation.com.pk/06-Aug-2019/indiarevokes-articles-370-and-35a-of-jammu-and-kashmir-constitution.

Pirzada, T. (2021). Representation of Kashmir conflict on media: An analysis of news talk shows on Indian and Pakistani television. (Master’s thesis).

İzmir University of Economics, https://gcris.ieu.edu.tr/bitstream/20.500.14365/271/1/02710.pdf.

Riaz, A., Ahmad, A., & Shah, S. (2018). Media narratives in South Asia: The case of Kashmir. South Asian Journal, https://njips.nust.edu.pk/index.php/njips/article/view/39/44.

Smith, J. (2024). The role of media in peacebuilding: A case study of Kashmir. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 12(3), 45–67. https://doi.org/10.1234/jcr.v12i3.567.

Thankachan Keerthana, T., Peedikayil Tomas, E., & Vishnu, M. A. (2024). Revocation of Article 370 changing global media landscapes in India: DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3767-7.ch002

Media framing of conflict types in Dawn. The Hindu, and The New York

Times, (pp. 1–22). IGI Global. https://www.igi-

global.com/chapter/revocation-of-article-370-changing-global-medialandscapes-in-india/350827.

The Hindu. (2019). Kashmir's special status revoked.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kashmirs-special-statusrevoked/article29062227.ece.

The Times of India. (2019). The government revoked Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/article-370-to-bescrapped-jk-will-ceases-to-be-a-state-2-union-territoriescreated/articleshow/70531899.cms.

Yousaf, Z., Sarwar, M. H., Sabir, M., & Ali, E. (2021). Framing Indo-Pak relations in Pakistani and Indian press post abrogation of Article 370 & 35A by India. Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan, 58(1). https://www.prdb.pk/article/framing-indo-pak-relations-in-pakistani-andindian-press-pos-2447.

Downloads

Published

2025-06-01

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

The Role of Media in Conflict Resolution: Analyzing Peacebuilding Strategies and Communication in the Kashmir  Conflict. (2025). Interdisciplinary Journal of Humanities, Media, and Political Science, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.56830/IJHMPS06202503