International Alert, in partnership with Getty Images and Panos Pictures, are organising the photographic exhibition Media & Modern Conflict: A Role for Peace, which will be held at SW1 Gallery in London from 1st to 5th May to mark World Press Freedom Day (3rd May).
This exhibition will feature a striking collection of images of hope and humanity during times of conflict from some of the world’s most renowned photographers, including Sean Smith (The Guardian), Jenny Matthews, Carol Allen Storey, Jason P. Howe and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Kim Komenich.
Through the work of these photographers, the event will highlight the important role media plays in conflict regions as well as introduce the work of peacebuilding NGO International Alert in these regions.
“The role of fair and impartial reporting from conflict zones is paramount,” said International Alert’s Secretary General, Dan Smith. “Too often, biased and inaccurate reports have inflamed opinion and contributed to conflict erupting and escalating. International Alert pays tribute to the photographers who work in these challenging and extremely dangerous environments to tell the stories of those caught up in the violence, producing images that impel us to help build peace.”
In many conflict contexts, flows of information (whether they are official, informal or even street rumours) have provoked or stoked violence, as well as worked to prevent, manage or resolve it. International Alert works with the media sector in Liberia to strengthen its capacity to report in a way that doesn’t fuel or instigate conflict, while working in Nepal to address the obstacles journalists face when trying to play a positive role within their society. Photography is one means of reporting news and this exhibition will highlight the role it plays in communicating stories back to the community and around the world.
Date: Tuesday 1st May – Saturday 5th May 2012
Time: 12 - 6pm
Admission: Free
Venue: SW1 Gallery, 12 Cardinal Walk, Roof Garden Level, Cardinal Place (off Victoria Street), London SW1E 5JE
For more information, contact: fundraising@international-alert.org / +44(0)20 7627 6863
