KAICIID Calls for Media That Builds Peace and Strengthens Dialogue

The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) has released a new policy paper titled “Media for Peace: Building Bridges Through Interreligious Dialogue,” highlighting the growing role media can play in strengthening social cohesion and promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

The paper comes at a time when societies worldwide are facing rising polarization, hate speech, and social division, making the role of media more critical than ever in shaping public awareness and influencing societal discourse.

According to the report, media institutions are no longer responsible only for reporting events and covering conflicts. They now carry a broader responsibility in contributing to peacebuilding and creating more stable and inclusive communities.

Media’s Role in Shaping Social Understanding

The policy paper examined today’s media landscape and concluded that certain media narratives continue to deepen divisions, particularly when political or social conflicts are reduced to narrow religious frameworks or when sensationalism overshadows stories of coexistence and mutual understanding.

It also warned about the growing danger of hostile rhetoric and hate speech, whether from public figures, individuals, or irresponsible media practices, emphasizing that social media platforms have accelerated the spread and impact of such harmful narratives.

The report stressed that these patterns can undermine decades of efforts by religious institutions and civil society organizations aimed at promoting dialogue and mutual understanding.

Waseem Haddad, KAICIID Program Manager for the Arab region, stated that peacebuilding efforts cannot remain confined to conferences and policy papers. Instead, they must reach wider audiences through accurate, ethical, and reality-based storytelling.

He emphasized that journalists should not be seen merely as observers of conflict, but as influential actors capable of reshaping public discourse, challenging harmful narratives, and creating space for dialogue and coexistence.

Strategic Recommendations for Peace Journalism

Based on academic research and in-depth interviews with media leaders and peacebuilding experts, the paper identified three key roles media can play in supporting social peace.

The first is simplifying complex religious and theological concepts in ways that promote understanding rather than confusion or division.

The second focuses on bridging gaps between diverse communities through more balanced and inclusive reporting.

The third highlights the importance of amplifying local peacebuilders and showcasing successful community initiatives that promote coexistence and stability.

To turn these principles into action, the paper presented a series of strategic recommendations directed at media institutions, religious organizations, and policymakers.

These include increasing journalist training in interfaith and intercultural dialogue, adopting conflict-sensitive journalism practices, and improving religious literacy in media coverage.

The report also called for media frameworks and regulations that align with values of citizenship, coexistence, and responsible journalism.

Maya Sukkar, KAICIID Program Officer for the Arab region, stated that media has extraordinary power to reshape how societies understand cultural and religious diversity.

She noted that this influence remains underutilized and emphasized that the paper serves as a strong call for journalists, editors, religious institutions, and policymakers to build a new partnership that places peace at the center of modern media discourse.