Conflicts and Nigeria Media: A Look at National Newspapers’ Coverage of Herdsmen and Farmers’ Clashes

Authors

  • Sunday Uche Aja Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • Joseph Nwanja Chukwu Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • Ekwutosi Sanita Nwakpu Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • Valentine Okwudilichukwu Ezema National Youth Service Corp, Uyo, Akwa=Ibom State, Nigeria
  • Ijeoma Njideka Taiwo Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Keywords:

herdsmen, farmers, conflict resolution, news framing, peace journalism, war journalism

Abstract

Media framing and reportage of conflicts can lead to escalation or de-escalation of the conflicts. Because of their roles in audience perception of events and issues, media framing and reportage are considered veritable instruments for conflict resolution. Unfortunately, the conflicts between herdsmen and farmers have become recurrent security challenges facing Nigeria in recent years. Using content analysis, this study examines the coverage of the clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria, by three national newspapers (The Sun, The Guardian, and Punch) from March 1, 2018–January 30, 2019 (the time of their ceaseless attacks). Findings show that the newspapers’ direction of coverage of the conflicts is highly negative and dominated by a criminality frame. The study concludes that many of the selected newspapers’ reporters are yet to imbibe the principles of peace journalism in their news reporting and recommends that the journalists be trained on peace journalism skills to facilitate resolution of the conflicts.

Author Biographies

Sunday Uche Aja, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Sunday Uche Aja is currently a lecturer  in the Department of Mass Communication, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria (AE-FUNAI). He holds an honours bachelors degree (B. A. Hons), a prestigious master’s degree (M. A.) and Ph.D degree all in Mass Communication. Against the backdrop of his training in media and communication studies, Mr Aja believes unrepentantly in, and holds tenaciously to, the functionalist perspective to the study of Mass communication. He is passionate about the use of mass media, including their online forms known as social media, to engender peace, security, economic growth and national development. Before joining the services of AE-FUNAI, Mr Aja has over eight years cognate experience in various aspects of media work and public service in Nigeria. He has served society in various administrative and leadership capacities. Mr Aja has published in some academic journals. He belongs to many professional organizations.

Joseph Nwanja Chukwu, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Dr. Joseph N. Chukwu currently serves as Lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. He obtained his Ph.D in Mass Communication with specialization in New Media from the Ebonyi State University in 2018. Dr. Chukwu’s research areas include New Media, Public Relations, Media History, Media Writing.

Ekwutosi Sanita Nwakpu, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Mrs. Ekwutosi Sanita Nwakpu is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Nigeria. She joined the institution in 2015. Her research interest which engages with the relationship between media and globalisation has special focus on mediation of distant and proximal suffering and audience studies. She teaches Foreign Correspondence, Interpersonal Communication, Writing for Mass Media etc.

Valentine Okwudilichukwu Ezema, National Youth Service Corp, Uyo, Akwa=Ibom State, Nigeria

Valentine Okwudilichukwu Ezema is a prolific modern African writer whose passion for writing knows no bounds. His first novel, The Broken Cistern, has received much acclaim from readers and critics in recent times. His play, Forbidden Sacrifice, won the Drama Prize during the 2019 Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, (AE-FUNAI) Nigeria Maiden Creative Writing Competition, and was subsequently published in an anthology entitled AE-FUNAI CREATIVE ECHOES. His articles have been published in reputable journals and newspapers. His other books include: The Red Tears, Passion of Lust, and he is currently working on another novel which satirizes the prevalent, corrupt political system in Africa. He holds B.Sc in Mass Communication from Alex Ekwueme Federal University,  Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria. He is currently a Master's Degree candidate in Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Ijeoma Njideka Taiwo, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Mrs Ijeoma Njideka Taiwo serves as an assistance lecturer at the department of mass communication Alex Ekwueme Federal university Ndufu Alike, in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. She obtained her B.sc in Mass Communication from Imo State University Owerri in 2001. She equally Obtained a Master’s degree in Mass communication from Benue state, university Markurdi in 2014. Ijeoma  N. Taiwo further obtained a post graduate Diploma in education in 2016, and her PhD is currently in view.

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Published

2022-06-13

Issue

Vol. 16 (2022)

Section

Articles

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