A Sobering Final Thought

Even in the face of the often (though not always) pressing demands of the media, diplomats and government officials point without question to the unsung efforts of one figure in conflict prevention: the OSCE's High Commissioner on National Minorities.

The high commissioner's principle is to maintain whatever invisibility he can achieve. He believes that quiet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy is the way to achieve conflict prevention. He shuns any involvement with the media, and without the media, he believes that he can make progress. How many conflicts have been prevented by the high commissioner's efforts -- efforts never reported in the media?

It must, therefore, be asked whether invisibility is the answer to the question: What role for the media in conflict prevention? The media, however, would like to believe otherwise. At least in theory.


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