Defective codes of memory: Media responsibility with regard to the most serious international crimes

Hosted by Global Media Forum and Consulate General of Poland in Cologne
Monday, June 13 / 2.00 p.m. / Room Bonn

Defective codes of memory (DCMs) are phrases which appear to be emotionally neutral and objective, but which, at the same time, convey a false message about reality. Phrases such "Armenian genocide," "Rwandan genocide" or "Polish concentration camps," are good examples of DCMs - provided they are not mentioned in any particular context - as they incorrectly imply that Armenians or Rwandans commit genocide, or that Poles create concentration camps.

To a significant extent, DCMs suggest the existence of a context which is distorted. They convey alternative, false narratives about elements of our collective - global, regional, national, local -memory. If such narratives prevail, they will destroy society's moral order, which is based on a shared history. As a consequence, the distortions could become a basis for reformulation of the present global order. Moreover, it would make it impossible to maintain the moral narrative which - in the context of international genocide crimes - seeks to properly identify victims and their executioners. DCMs tend to reverse this important element of this narrative.

Media today have an unprecedented reach and impact. Based on their ability to mitigate and instigate conflicts, media also have a great responsibility for the peaceful co-existence of communities. Because of their global impact, media today are increasingly faced with different context-sensitiveness of what and how they broadcast. DCMs are context-sensitive things. Thus, making recourse to them in media may result in the deterioration of credibility and even higher operational costs.

As a result, people in the media have to be aware of the existence DCMs. They also have to learn how not to create new ones. During this session we will investigate various DCMs, their contexts and possible impacts. We will also discuss how to avoid them.