Media and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (a Study of the October 2020 Endsars Mass Protest in Rivers State)
CHAPTER ONE
Aim And Objectives Of The Study
This study is primarily aimed at evaluating the Media and conflict resolution in Nigeria. A case a study of the Oct 2020 endsars mass protest in Rivers state. The specific objectives are:
- To identify how the media has contributed or dampen violent conflict in Jos.
- To identify the challenges, the media has faced in dissemination of information during violent conflict.
- To identify the pattern of news reporting during the endsars mass protest in Rivers state.
- To identify the roles, the media plays in managing conflict during endsars mass protest in Rivers state.
- To establish the media accessibility and the various types of media coverage of the Endsars mass protest in Rivers state.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
The General Role Of Media In Conflict
The media serves as a serious stakeholder in the Nigerian society and has created much impact on the ways in which the activities of the society functions especially when it comes to the relationship between the government and the society in the country. The media, known to be the fourth estate of the realm, has over the years gained much influence and trust from the consuming public about information concerning important occurrences and events. The media still holds its relevance in ensuring that information is passed from the source to the larger public as the media works on serving as the watch dog of the society and checks on the activities that concerns the development and welfare of the larger society.
The Nigerian mass media has played a significant role in economic, social, political and educational issues affecting the nation, thus contributing immensely towards development. However, this has come with disgust especially in political issues resulting into violent conflicts (Ibrahim & Jenner, 1997). The invisible role of media in Nigeria cannot be assumed given its influential power.
In order to objectively understand the nature and the role of media in peace and conflict management, it is important to understand the various ways through which the media influence conflict and conflict management. Newbold (1995) points out that majority of scholars and researchers have concentrated on the role of media in economic, social and political issues affecting states with little attention being given
to conflicts. He further posed that media impact on conflict management is an emerging area that has been under studied due to lack of multidisciplinary models and concepts that would view media’s role from peace and conflict realm.
Osadolor (2001) cited in Orhewere and Kur (2004) writes that the most critical role of the media should be in helping to prevent or at least attenuate the severity of conflicts. Publicity is critical in exposing and checking vices. The mass media in every society are seen as agents of social change. This is because they carry out certain roles and functions, which help to develop the populace positively. It is generally agreed that the mass media set agenda for the public to follow. Any analysis of the role that media can play in conflict prevention and resolution starts with a simple question: what do we exactly mean by media? Howard (2002) posited that a different way to look at the question is to shift the focus from the media to the conflict-prevention and peace building field. He also noted that an analysis of the conflict cycle can reveal a series of entry points for media in a broader sense to play a positive role in conflict situations. In a pre-conflict phase, one of the greatest needs is often for effective early-warning systems, which rely heavily on the availability and quality of information.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION
Introduction
This chapter contains findings of the investigation made to determine the role of media in conflict management. It provides the detailed analysis of gathered data, presentation of the findings together with illustrations and discussions on the same. It also provides the interpretation of the results.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
The research covered the introductory and the background to the study. The methods used in carrying out the research concerning the ‘Media and conflict resolution in Nigeria, a study of the October 2020 ENDSARS mass protest in Rivers state. It was understood that the media either play a positive role or negative roles in conflict which will either lead to reconciliation and development or destruction by the parties in the conflict. The target of operation was focused at ENDSARS mass protest in Rivers state and an assessment of the roles played by the media during the conflicts experienced.
A literature review on the role of the media in conflict situations was done to have an understanding of the views of scholars, professionals, and other media outfits. The theories that were formed from previous study on the media were discussed and how it affects conflict management/transformation positively or negatively. An analysis and presentation of the critical role of the media on the ENDSARS mass protest in Rivers state was discussed, how it affects development, and the ways the government and public see it as an instrument of manipulation or instrument to achieve set goals was discussed in the study.
CONCLUSION
The media is well known to be an influential fourth realm in any given sovereign state especially a democratic state like Nigeria. It has serious stake in conflict situations of which its role is important. Just like the ENDSARS mass protest in Rivers state and all over the country, the media has played different roles in one way or the other in the peace and conflict processes. There are factors that are brought into the process as reportage is made and ventilated to the public. Reports of conflicts and their occurrence either arouse the violent tendency of parties in conflict or bringing them together to calm for peace and justice. Conflicts occurrences have received fast tracking speed in escalating conflicts while have has theirs in speedily resolving the conflicts. It all depends on the individual or group involved in the reportage. If there is tendency of being biased, then reports will not be properly sent to the public.
Media and journalism can be a great assistance in conflict management and peace building. However, the power they have is also limited, as they will never be able to eliminate armed conflicts altogether. The media can be a good tool in a healthy and functioning environment but more is needed than ethical and responsible reporting to ensure lasting peace and safety. The role of the media is twofold: on the one hand, the media report and reflect on pressing issues and can help to question established concepts and ideas. On the other hand, they can be used for propaganda purposes and instead of revealing truths, try to cover things up and by this curtail people’s freedom and right to information. Regardless, the potential of the media in conflict and post-conflict situations remains a net positive, and has been sadly underutilized to this point in time.
When properly related to the public with the intention of calming tension and bringing windows of opportunities up for change then a positive contributive role is put into display. Sometimes as an influential instrument in the society, the members of the media exploit the opportunity to cause more harm while others are sometimes caught impersonating. Conflicts are challenges societies faced in certain times. They are either used to develop a society, or used to destroy a society. The available tools used in managing and transforming conflicts such as the media need a serious attention by the government and people of River state. Conflict in itself is neither positive nor negative but the choice of action we made either makes it productive or destructive.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations preferred from the research for a better role of the media in conflicts are:
- The media can serve an informing and educating function by securing a free flow of accurate and constructive information, counteracting misperceptions, identifying the interests underlying the issues, and helping to build a consensus. This may include providing information about human rights as much as about the principles of good governance and parliamentary democracy and democratic election.
- The media can further build confidence and mediate between conflicting parties by fostering communication, generating alternative options to violent conflict, reflecting the ordinary person’s desire and need for peace, communicating the process of negotiations to the constituencies involved and providing a forum for on-going dialogue.
- Third, they may act as a watchdog on leaders to help ensure long-term accountability, monitor human rights violations and, in a broader sense, provide some early warning on potential escalations of the conflict.
- The appropriateness and effectiveness of these activities will vary not only according to the type and phase of the conflict, but also according to the role that the media have played within the conflict dynamics. These factors must be analyzed and determined in a pre- project assessment.
- Since the essence of conflict management is the transformation of mentalities, both within the society and the individual, societies have to be involved from the top-down and the bottom-up. The media have the potential to be a gateway through which to reach the largest possible number of people.
- As a serious and influential stakeholder in the society, the media should critically analyze reports before disseminating to the public to prevent uncertainties.
- Neutrality of the media is very important. Media should enhance their skills on neutrality and proper delivery of accurate information to the public.
- The media should not be allowed to be controlled by external forces and personalities like politicians and other groups without the interest.
- The media should have access to information from the State Government and make clear what the public needs to know.
Suggestion For Further Study
A research of this nature cannot be exhaustive in covering the area of investigation. Despite the success of this study, many issues still remain unresolved while others also evolved during the study. The paradigm shift in communication has led to the growth of social media. The study suggests research to be undertaken in areas of social media (internet and mobile telephony) and conflict management. Further analysis in the research topic should be done using multiple factor correlation to assess the inter-variable relationships. Lastly, the study suggests further study to
be carried out to determine why the study area has always been the epicenter of conflicts.
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