When we talk about peacebuilding, we naturally think of negotiations, justice processes, mediation, or institutional strengthening; rarely of information. Yet in contexts of crisis and polarization, access to reliable, local, and independent information is essential if populations are to understand and take part in peace processes. For that to happen, information must flow horizontally across society, reaching every layer, and vertically, from communities to decision-makers and back again.1
This conviction has guided Fondation Hirondelle’s work for more than thirty years. Fondation Hirondelle views information as a public good and a driver of social cohesion. But how can we demonstrate that a media outlet contributes to peace? How can we measure it? Peace depends on political, economic, social, and cultural factors that extend far beyond the realm of information. A radio program, however relevant it may be, does not “make” peace. However, it can help create the conditions that make peace possible.
Fondation Hironelle’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning mechanisms are specifically designed to document these intermediate contributions. An impact study conducted in 20212 in Madagascar among more than 7,000 young people revealed that exposure to a Studio Sifaka talk show was associated with increased political discussion, community participation, and inclusive dialogue. More broadly, these mechanisms help understand the extent to which people better understand the issues that affect them, feel more represented in media content, and whether certain programs foster dialogue between groups or help reduce the influence of rumors and misinformation.
These developments do not, on their own, constitute indicators of peace. Nevertheless, they provide insight into certain mechanisms that can contribute to peace: trust, participation, inclusion, the ability to make fact-based decisions, and the use of dialogue rather than violence to resolve conflicts. These inherent limitations in measuring the effects of media also lead us to rethink how we assess and communicate our impact. As international funding declines, pressure is mounting to produce rapid and easily quantifiable results. However, the effects of media are often gradual, relational, and difficult to summarize in a few figures. Fondation Hirondelle combines audience surveys, quantitative and qualitative studies, editorial analyses, interviews, focus groups, and audience feedback to cross-reference sources and better understand the effects of its interventions.
Peace is not a static state but an ongoing process. While we cannot measure it directly, we can document the transformations and actions that help societies better resist divisions, violence, and the manipulation of information. At a time when crises drag on and disinformation undermines democratic spaces, recognizing information as an infrastructure for peace is more necessary than ever. Highlighting and documenting these transformations also helps to raise awareness of the media’s role in building more inclusive and peaceful societies.
[1] Fondation Hirondelle’s position on mediation: https://www.hirondelle.org/fr/media-et-mediation-notre-positionnement