The Press, the Public and Modern War: Bearing Witness, Confronting Apathy

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

On 17 June, SAIIA's Western Cape Branch hosted a discussion on key themes in media and war debates.

While contemporary warfare has become an intensely mediated experience, the journalists and media workers covering it are being targeted and killed at an alarming rate. This timely discussion will consider the major currents in how we think about media and conflict today. The talk will examine how modern wars are constructed for audiences, analyse the actual value of media witnessing of atrocities and question whether it is still possible for distant spectators to be moved by the suffering of others.

Speakers

  • Dr Richard Stupart: Lecturer (University of Liverpool) and British Academy Research Fellow currently attached to SAIIA
  • Associate Professor Musawenkosi W. Ndlovu: Senior Lecturer (University of Cape Town) and Mandela Mellon Fellow

Presentation

To read Dr Stupart’s presentation, click here.

Thanks for your participation.

This content features on the G20 Resource Centre.

17 Jun 2026