A Conceptual Review Of Mass Media And Political Violence In Nigeria Between 1999 And 2013
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This paper is an exploratory study that examines the interplay between political violence and the role of the mass
media in addressing this with a focus on the period between 1999 to date in Nigeria. Violence becomes political
when it is intended to disrupt the immediate and future political process. Political violence may involve a process
of perpetuating an existing government in power and eliminating perceived opponents or it could be a response
to frustrating circumstances and an inability of those in government to fulfill their campaign promises to the
people. As the fourth estate of the realm, serving as the watchdog of the three arms of government, the media has
often been hijacked by political office holders to manipulate and create falsehood including acts of political
propaganda. Ideally, the media ought to be for information, education and entertainment. This role has often
been circumvented by those at the helm of affairs especially the political class, as he who pays the piper calls the
tune. Has the media exercised the right professionalism and work ethics needed in the execution of their task?
Has the reporting of news items by the media resulted in acts of political violence or in its reduction? To what
extent has lack of press freedom affected the correct reporting of events by the media? Based on the Normative
and Marxist theories, this study tries to uncover these critical questions with a view to finding appropriate
solutions to the lingering political violence in Nigeria
Keywords
HM Sociology