Mathematician, sociologist, and expert in mediation and conflict resolution, he was one of the most significant intellectuals of our time, recognized as the founder of modern peace studies. In the 1960s he created the concept of peace journalism.
On 17 February, Professor Johan Galtung, a pioneer of peace studies, passed away at the age of 93. A doctorate in mathematics and sociology, he taught at some of the world's most important universities, from Oslo, his hometown, to Berlin and Paris in Europe; Santiago de Chile and Buenos Aires in Latin America; Princeton and Hawaii in the USA. He combined this intense teaching work with his activities as a consultant to various UN bodies.
Peace was continually at the center of his intellectual work; thus, in 1959 he founded the International Peace Research Institute in Oslo; in 1964, the Journal of Peace Research; and in '98 he created Transcend, a worldwide network for peace, development, the environment and training for the non-violent transcendence of conflicts. To this intense scientific research, collected in the 96 books he authored, he combined an extensive mediation activity for conflict resolution, both international and social, participating as a mediator in over 150 situations.
In 1960 he coined the concept of peace journalism, after analyzing how Norwegian newspapers treated news about the conflicts in Cuba and Congo. As Galtung himself explained in this interview with Vatican News, 'I came, at that time, to four conclusions: the news had to be negative, it had to have something to do with war and violence, it had to be outward-looking, unstructured, there had to be someone to blame - a very important aspect - and, finally, it had to be about other countries, important countries and especially important people in important countries. Here, let's take any event and see if it meets one or all of these four criteria: at this point, it is easy for it to become news'.
For Galtung, there is 'negative' peace journalism, 'which seeks to find solutions to conflicts in order to reduce violence'; and 'positive' peace journalism, 'which wants to explore the possibility of more positive cooperation'. But for these to be put into practice, specific training of journalists on the very concept of peace and positive journalism is indispensable: 'It all starts with the education of journalists, and this means that we are talking about the study of journalism or schools of journalism'.
In this sense, Prof. Galtung emphasized the importance of Pope Francis' support, whom he regarded as "one of the greatest positive figures of our time", for the concept of peace journalism, especially through his Message for the 52nd World Communications Day “The truth will set you free (Jn 8:32). Fake news and journalism for peace".
As Pope Francis writes: "I would like, then, to invite everyone to promote a journalism of peace. (...). A journalism created by people for people, one that is at the service of all, especially those – and they are the majority in our world – who have no voice. A journalism less concentrated on breaking news than on exploring the underlying causes of conflicts, in order to promote deeper understanding and contribute to their resolution by setting in place virtuous processes.
Taking up the legacy of Prof. Galtung and the invitation of Pope Francis has become more urgent today than ever.
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