Military and The Media – How Information Works in Conflict Environments

26 June, 2:00 p.m., Room Aeltestenrat
Hosted by Academy for Information and Communication of the German Armed Forces

In the history of armed conflict, the local civilian population has mostly
been disregarded. While often being the largest party affected, they usually suffer the most. Although war remains the scourge of humanity, things are changing.

Over the past few decades, awareness has increased with regard to the role local civilian populations play in armed conflict. They are no longer considered to be a passive factor, but instead their needs and perceptions have explicit influence upon the success of a mission. Triggered by rapid technological change in the media, information no longer simply describes on-scene developments, but increasingly shapes the dynamics by influencing perceptions, opinions and loyalties. Information has been a means of warfare used by the military in all ages everywhere. On the one hand it can be misused for propaganda or disinformation purposes, but on the other hand it has great potential to promote local ownership in peacebuilding. Armed forces committed to democratic core values are transparent in their operations in order to maintain the basic right to information both in the theatre and at home.

The Bundeswehr Academy for Information and Communication (AIK) offers advanced training to press and information personnel of the German armed forces and other nations. Contributing to the Global Media Forum, the AIK will focus on how media-based interaction works in conflict environments. The workshop will shed some light on the theoretical background and framework as well as on practical experiences.

26 June, 2.00 p.m., Room Aeltestenrat
Hosted by: Academy for Information and Communication of the German Armed Forces

Panelists:

Cimili, Zana
Journalist and TV- Correspondent, Pristina, Kosovo

Diefenbach, Valeria
Captain, Academy for Information and Communication of the German Armed Forces, Strausberg, Germany

Löffelholz, Prof. Martin
Director, International Research Group on Crisis Communication / Rector, Swiss-German University, Jakarta, Indonesia

Mosblech, Erich
Psychological Operations Center, Mayen, Germany

Volta, Michael (Moderator)
Research Associate, Academy for Information and Communication of the German Armed Forces, Strausberg, Germany