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UJ/2014/AR/0656
JULY, 2019
i
DEDICATION
This project is dedicated to Almighty God who has guided me all through from my
first day in the prestigious institution to the last day. All glory and honour to God Almighty.
ii
CERTIFICATION
I certify that this project titled: “The role of peace 90.5 FM in Ethno – religious
conflict in Bassa Local Government” by Dechi, Judith Jana with matric number
UJ/2014/AR/0656 has been examined and found meeting the requirement for the award of
___________________________ _________________________
PROJECT SUPERVISOR
_________________________ ________________________
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APPROVAL PAGE
We certify that this research project was carried out by Dechi Judith Jana of Mass
communication department, faculty of Arts, University of Jos. In our opinion, this work
confirms to the acceptable standard of scholarly presentation and is approved as part of the
requirements for the award of Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication discipline.
___________________________ ______________________
MR. MABAS AKILA DATE
(PROJECT SUPERVISOR)
___________________________ _______________________
PROF. AYEDUN ALUMA DATE
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
___________________________ _______________________
EXTERNAL EXAMINER DATE
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study would not have been possible without the God Almighty, the author and
finisher of life, who out of his infinite goodness and mercy saw me through this journey and
giving me the grace to accomplish this task successful. My profound thanks and gratitude
their love, care and support in my education and other aspects of my life, thank you for
believing in me right from day one till date. May you live long to reap the fruit of your
labour.
write-ups at the various stages, offering corrections and suggestions that have brought it this
far cannot be overemphasized. I thank you very much Sir for making such contributions.
Communication, University of Jos. who took their time in one way or the other to impart
knowledge in me. Of particular mention is Prof. Victor Ayedun-Aluma the former H.O.D
My love and appreciation goes to my wonderful Siblings Thank you for your love,
I came across many friends turned family whose positive roles in my life cannot be
ignored with ease. On this note, I appreciate the following people: Thanks, may God bless
v
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the objectivity of peace 90.5 FM in reporting the
ethno- religious conflicts in Bassa Local Government area of Plateau State. This research
work set out to know the prominence given to reporting the ethno – religious conflicts in
Bassa Local Government by Peace 90.5 FM as well as the objectivity of the station in
reporting the conflict. The study adopted the conflict theory and social cognitive theory as a
theoretical framework, the research design adopted was survey research. A total of 150
questionnaires were administered to those residents in Bassa Local Government Area and in
Jos Metropolis respectively. From the analysis, the study showed that the role of the mass
media, during the period under study, did contribute immensely to the escalation of these
in particular and the nation at large in the past three decades. The study has in addition,
established that even in some instances when conflicts arose as a result of other factors, they
usually assumed religious colorations thus, making them intractable. The study further
discovered that the mass media in Nigeria in these instances of reportage of ethno-religious
conflicts played roles as diverse as the interests of their owners and editors, geographical
locations, ethnic and religious affiliations of the owners or editors. The study therefore
recommends a paradigm shift in ethno-religious reportage by the mass media in order to play
down conflict situations rather than escalating them in order to promote national
development. This is because conflict generally is complex in nature and so its reportage
should be handled with care to avoid the generation and further escalation of ethno-religious
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TABLE OF CONTENT
TITLE PAGE………………………………………………………………………………...I
DEDICATION......................................................................................................................... II
CERTIFICATION ................................................................................................................ III
APPROVAL PAGE .............................................................................................................. IV
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................... V
ABSTRACT ............................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
vii
3.2 POPULATION OF THE STUDY ............................................................................. 32
3.3 AREA OF STUDY .................................................................................................... 32
3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES .................................................................................... 33
3.5 SAMPLE SIZE ......................................................................................................... 33
3.6 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION ...................................................................... 34
3.7 INSTRUMENTS FOR DATA COLLECTION ........................................................ 34
3.8 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF INSTRUMENT ............................................ 34
3.9 METHOD OF DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS ................................... 35
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 4: How Peace 90.5FM influences the escalation or de - escalation of the Ethno-
Religious Conflicts in Bassa Local Government?..................................................................44
Table 6: Intervention of Peace 90.5 FM influenced the escalation and de-escalation of the
Ethno-Religious.......................................................................................................................45
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CHAPTER ONE
prescribed by the voices of reason is communication. The prevailing view is that, faced with
conflict, communicating is always the right thing to do: The U.N. Security Council
encourages hostile countries to "hold talks," and marriage counsellors advise quarrelling
couples to "express their feelings. Plateau state has encountered a great number of conflicts in
recent times. Religion, ethnicity has all played a role in the propagation and provocation of
such conflicts. However, there is a tool that has knowingly or unknowingly been used to
propagate these ethno-religious conflicts- The Radio. In the course of this academic research
work, emphasis will be laid on the conflicts that face Bassa Local Government Area in
Plateau State.
World Bank Report of February, 2007 classified Nigeria among the 50 fragile states
in the World (Orji, 2011). Six years after, the situation appears same if not worse. Inability to
guarantee national security is one among the basic features of state fragility. Nigeria’s
national security has always been under threat, but the one in the present Fourth Republic,
apart from the civil war (1967-1970), has taken the most severe dimension. Of recent, the
Boko Haram insurgence is making many to think the breakaway of Nigeria is in a matter of
months. The current “fire-to-fire” approach by the government in managing the Boko Haram
insurgence is not yielding the expected result, since the violent activities of the group have
continued on a daily basis (Agbo, 2011). Kidnapping is on the increase and communal crises
have become endemic. In addition, threats to the democratic process in the country pose
serious challenges to national security. These threats are in the form of electoral malpractices,
1
stealing of public funds, absence of accountability, executive fiat, tyrannical attitudes, bad
governance (Kukah, 2007; 2011; Adedayo, 2011), structural weakness of public institutions,
disregard for rule of law, increased deprivations, debilitating poverty, rising public
frustration, and violation of human rights (Akinwale, 2010; Bayo, 2011) among others.
integrating of cultures (people, customs, mores) through education seems to be a hopeful and
lasting initiative for conflict resolution. Focus on conflict resolution in Nigeria has grown
over time since various efforts to resolve several violent flare ups in the country have not
seen the conclusive resolution of these conflicts, neither have they successfully resulted in
lasting peace. Nigeria as a country has over 250 ethnic groups and majorly two religions
(Christianity and Islam), has had various outbreaks of political and ethnic violence from time
to time.
The recent conflict Nigeria as a country is facing is the emergence of the Fulani
herdsmen attack that over the period of a year or more has rippled almost all over the country
leaving trails and blaze of pains and tears in the eyes of many Nigerians as many lives and
properties are destroyed. Thus, states like Benue and Plateau States are the active and passive
recipients of these series of Herdsmen attacks. More recently in Plateau State are the attacks
that affected Local governments such as Bassa, Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Mangu.
The media owe the society a responsibility of fair, objective, truthful and accurate
reportage especially in conflict situations. It is pertinent to also know that the reportage of the
media especially radio, has the capacity to lessen or worsen the conflict situation. This
research intends to look at the role of peace 90.5 FM in ethno-religious conflict in Bassa local
government.
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1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
War and conflict all have one thing in common – violence. Violence destroys
including education, political will, hope, and trust. The cost of conflict is immense causing
suffering and poverty, destroying economic development and depriving people of their basic
needs (Chretien, Spurk, & Christopher, 1995). As has been witnessed, most conflicts often
take place in countries undergoing major political changes towards democratization. In such
countries the right to credible information and freedom of expression are essential in ensuring
of threat and creating more stable and sustainable political structures (Rugumanu, 2002).
The media’s role in conflict situations has generated a lot of controversy. Many see
the media more often as exacerbating conflict while others have pointed out that the media
play a critical role in conflict resolution and peace building. According to (Wolfsfeld, 2004),
while a democratic media may serve to encourage dialogue, tolerance and interaction among
communities; and raise the legitimacy of those supporting peaceful negotiations and building
lasting peace, at times media can also report negatively on political opponents.
According to Herman & Chomsky (1998), the media firms which are quite large
businesses are controlled by very wealthy people or by managers who are subject to sharp
constraints by owners and other market-profit-oriented forces. Media firms also have
important common interests, with major corporations, banks, and government. Therefore,
they are compelled to report in certain ways that do not necessarily support conflict resolution
efforts.
3
Despite the many different challenges the broadcast media face regardless of
ownership in times of reporting conflicts; this research work sought and intends to find out
3. To find out how the ownership of Peace FM 90.5 influence its reportage of the
4. To find out how the intervention by Peace FM 90.5 influences the escalation or
Local Government?
3. How does ownership of Peace FM 90.5 influence its reportage of the ethno-religious
4. How does the intervention of Peace FM 90.5 influence the escalation or de-escalation
4
1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY
To avoid embarking on a never ending and unimaginable venture, the researcher
delimits the research work in the metropolis of Bassa local government Jos, Plateau state.
resolution, this study will help to show the contribution that Peace FM 90.5 has made in
resolving conflict and helping lessen hostilities between parties in conflict. Thus this study
will help to draw attention to the need for the government and other conflict resolution
agencies to engage and support the media in conflict resolution processes. The findings of
this study will also bring to limelight the role and contributions of Peace FM 90.5 in in
conflict resolution not only in Bassa Local Government Area but the entire state at large. Its
findings will also add to existing literature and serve as a reference point.
character of their boundaries. The crucial communal factors may be language, culture
or both. It is also defined as social collectivities whose members not only share such
perception of common descent or identity”. This ethnic identity results from contact
with other groups. But he argues that ethnic pluralism is necessary but an insufficient
II. RELIGION: Religion has been variously defined as a body of truths, laws and rites
(1970) religion denotes a set of symbolic forms and actions that relate man to the
5
III. CONFLICT: As noted by Wolff (2006:2), the term ‘conflict’ is used to describe “a
situation in which two or more actors pursue incompatible, yet from their individual
result of the struggle for power and material gain by leaders and followers alike.
involving groups where religion is an integral part of social and cultural life, and
religious identity can create sharp distinctions between parties, and increase group
language, texts and images. Such conflicts are also often intra-state; in communities
with long histories of tension and suffering from post-colonial deprivation or political
conflict in society: how conflicts start and varies, and the effects it brings. The central
concerns of Conflict Theory are the unequal distribution of scarce resources and power. What
these resources are might be different for each theorist, but conflict theorists usually work
Conflict theorists generally see power as the central feature of society, rather than
cultural standards as functionalists do. In this way of thinking about things, power is not
necessarily bad; it is a primary factor that guides society and social relations.
6
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 INTRODUCTION
A good research is the one that expands the frontiers of existing knowledge by
contributing something new. This can only be done if the researcher knows what had been
done and the current issues in his area of research interest. (Asemah, Gujbawa, Ekhareafo,
&Okpanachi 2007). It is in this light that the researcher reviewed some literatures related to
the topic under discourse. This literature review is done under the following topics: the
concept of radio and conflict, conflict, the concept of ethno-religious conflicts, ethno-
religious conflicts in Bassa Local Government Area, the media and reportage of ethno-
Ndolo (2006) observes that the partial success of modern mass media application for
development projects, especially in the rural areas have resulted in various calls by
communication scholars for rural development agents in the field, for a greater utilization of
7
indigenous communication channels for rural development. When it comes to features, radio
is one of the most personal medium in the arena of mass communication, reaching out to
large heterogeneous audience with mass media messages. It is one of the useful and oldest
medium of mass communication that reaches large media audiences even in the remote areas.
Relating to the topic under discourse, radio has been a useful medium of disseminating
information especially in conflict times, and Peace FM 90.5 is not an exception. Seeing that it
is the first radio station in the state, many audiences look up to it for important information in
time of conflict.
2.1.2 Conflict
Conflict is a struggle or contest between people with opposing needs, ideas, beliefs,
values, or goals. Defined in broadest terms, conflict denotes the incompatibility of subject
positions (Diez et al, 2006: 565). This definition emphasizes the opposition or incompatibility
at the heart of the conflict, and initially leaves open the exact nature of these
incompatibilities, i.e. whether they are between individuals, groups or societal positions;
whether they rest in different interests or beliefs; or whether they have a material existence or
come into being only through discourse. Given this initial definition, conflict is not always
characterised by violence. Yet, conflict might escalate and lead to destructive results, in
particular in the form of physical violence that is increasingly seen as legitimate as conflict
intensifies.
It can therefore be seen as the generic term that encompasses more specific groups
such as the nation, which combines the characteristics of an ethnic with the political ideology
of nationalism, which aims at the correspondence of nation and state (Smith, 1986: 129;
Breuilly, 1985). The contested nature of the term ethnic relates to the exact ontology of the
cultural characteristics it makes reference to. Primordialists argue that these characteristics lie
in the nature of these groups and cannot be changed. This view continues to carry political
8
significance in particular in ethno political conflicts, where it is expressed in the dictum that
two sides cannot live with each other; a stance that Campbell (1998) calls “ontopology” in his
critique of Western policies towards the conflict in Bosnia. However, the literature on
ethnicity and nationalism today predominantly sees such cultural characteristics as socially
constructed, rather than naturally given, and therefore emphasizes the role of discourse in
their construction. This does not mean that ethnic can easily be changed, but that their
(Anderson, 1983).
In the context of the modern system of nation-states, the articulation of ethnic groups
will inevitably lead to political claims that pitch such groups against others. In peaceful
situations, there are institutional rules that operate to provide effective conflict management.
A resolution of the conflict would only be achieved if the values, habits and customs of a
particular ethnic group are redefined in such a way that this ethnic group would either cease
to exist, or that its construction would not rely on seeing other groups as an even potential
threat. The positive transformation of a political conflict therefore relies above all on the re-
articulation of ethnic groups in what we will below call increasingly de-securitized ways, in
which the Other is recognised but not portrayed as an existential threat. Conflicts, even ethno-
political ones, are therefore first and foremost discursive in nature (see also Jabri, 1996;
Bonacker, 2005: 273; Diez et al, 2006: 565). Incompatibilities can only be recognized as such
if someone makes reference to them. This does not mean that there is no material side to
conflicts.
On the one hand, the distribution of land or other goods, or the clash of interests are
core reference points for the articulation of incompatibilities. However, they do not constitute
interests would have it; they need to be discursively constructed in order to become effective
9
as conflict matters. On the other hand, conflicts can bring about physical, psychological or
emotional damage. However, these very real experiences do not depend on a material
definition of conflict, but are inflicted by conflictual discourse or the actions legitimized
part of social and cultural life, and religious institutions are representative, possess moral
legitimacy, and mobilization potential. Where conflicting groups define themselves along
ethno-religious lines, religious identity can create sharp distinctions between parties, and
increase group mobilization. Other distinguishing factors include the high incidence of
civilian casualties (suicide bombing, ethnic cleansing) and action ‘legitimized’ by religious
language, texts and images. Such conflicts are also often intra-state; in communities with
long histories of tension and suffering from post-colonial deprivation or political or economic
The concept of ethno-religious conflicts comes from the two words that constitute the
complex word ethno-religious. Ethno represents ethnic, while religious represents religion.
This denoted that the any conflict that is sparked by ethnic or religious differences can be
particular ethnic group or religion may refer to their ethnic group as being superior.
Since the 1914 amalgamation of the two Nigerian regions - the northern region with
Islam as its main religion and the southern region with Christianity being its dominant
religion - by the British colonial government (Michael Crowther, 1968), Nigerians have
continued to debate and discuss the issues bordering on the peaceful coexistence of the
various ethnic groups on the one hand, and between Christians and Muslims on the other. The
question about living together in peace emerged early in the Nigerian national debate as a
10
result of the numerous violent confrontations between, among and within some ethnic groups
in the north and some in the south, and between some Muslims and some Christians.
From 1967 to 1970, Nigeria was completely ravaged by a bloody civil war that
occurred mainly between the Muslim north (commonly identified as the Hausa–Fulani
people) and the Christian southeast (known as the Igbo people), causing the death of more
than one million people including children and women (Ugorji, 2012, p. 102). The
subsequent violent clashes that occurred in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s between these
ethno-religious groups both in the north and south of the country, and the recent surge of the
Boko Haram terrorist attacks have continued to reignite the old debate on what it means for
Muslims and Christians, Igbos, Hausa-Fulanis, Yorubas and the ethnic minorities in the
Nigeria is synonymous with deep divisions which cause major political issues to be
vigorously and violently contested along the lines of intricate ethnic, religious and regional
divisions. Issues that raise the most dust are those regarded essential for the existence and the
validity of the state. Opposing and contending assemblages have a tendency to assume an
exclusionary winner-take-all approach. These issues include the control of state power,
allocation of resources and citizenship. As a result, states with such divisions are disposed to
be delicate and unstable because almost by definition, they have very little in common with
regard to convergence and harmony which are necessary to reduce the centrifugal forces that
Therefore, breakdown, breakaway, civil strife, civil war, minority nervousness, and
violent clashes, all of which would typically be regarded unusual in normal states are
politically silent identities, coupled with a history of protracted and seemingly stubborn wars
11
and instability, Nigeria is high on the list as one of the most unstable states in Africa. Since
its independence, Nigeria has been driven hither and thither by recurrent crises of regional or
transformation and national cohesion. A peak of the crisis appears to have occurred during
the civil war of the 1960s, which began shortly after independence. Since 1999 when Nigeria
transited into civilian rule, the country has witnessed a rapid increase in the number of
conflicts. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between religion, ethnicity and
those conflicts in the country. It looks at the notion of Identity in an attempt to explain the
in the central states of Nigeria comprising of the states of Bauchi, Benue, Kaduna,
Nassarawa, Plateau and Taraba. These states have some unique characteristics which
differentiate them from the rest of the country. It would be worthwhile to briefly illustrate
these elements which when manipulated negatively prepare the grounds for the conflicts in
the zone. The socio-economic characteristics of the zone where summarized as follows in a
5. Over 50% of the ethnic groups in Nigeria are found in the zone. It may be noted
that no one ethnic group shares 100% of its culture and values with other ethnic
groups.
influence on the lives of the people. In other words, there is deep-seated religious
12
7. Apart from rich mineral resources, the zones are also endowed with massive land
and grazing activities. This explains the massive influx of people from other areas
to this zone.
(i) In terms of development, the zone is one of the least developed in spite of the
(ii) The zone has a very large pool of ex-servicemen. It is important to note that
majority of these ex-servicemen were disengaged from service at very young ages
and have not really been gainfully employed since their retirement.
(iii) The people of this zone are known to be hospitable, accommodating and
Bassa is a local government area in the North of Plateau State, Nigeria. It has been
referred to as a hotspot for ethno-religious clashes in recent times. Bassa has also been
involved in recent crises which have rocked Plateau State. A report by Premium Times stated
that between 2010 and 2018, One Thousand Eight Hundred and One persons have been killed
in 115 different communities in the various crises between six local governments in Plateau
States namely, Bassa, Jos South, Jos North, BarkinLadi, Riyom and Bokkos. Also, 50, 212
opinion and engender public discourse among Nigerians. However, the media unfortunately
has more recently failed to consistently champion and/or engender sustained social changes
despite the obvious need in the country to re-mobilize and reorient Nigerians on many levels.
13
In reality, there are factors that specifically hinder the Nigerian media from consistently
functioning in the interest of the Nigerian masses in particular and Africa in general.
There are also issues of media ownership, media control and censorship, profit-led
motivation, ethnicity and religion that the media in Nigeria has to manage on a daily basis.
The ability of the Nigerian media to transcend these challenges is a key topic of debate,
Owens-Ibie (2002) noted that, ''Nigeria's ethnic composition and unique plural and divided
society make mass media effectiveness a mirage’’ and, further argued that: Ethnic
competition among major ethnic groups, namely, Hausas, Ibos, and Yorubas, as well as
between minor groups, remain an intractable problem. Ethnicity is at the heart and soul of the
Nigerian society and the struggle for power and control of national resources between
different groups. Unfortunately, this manner of ethnic struggle is reproduced in virtually all
In many ways the Nigerian press mirrors this ethnic phenomenon and helps bring to
light the many dimensions of the ethnic game…which acts as the ears and mouthpiece of the
ethnic groups”. Consequently, the current fragmented structures of the Nigerian landscape
have resulted in the media’s failure to muster the required impetus needed to drive
Over the years, insecurity resulting from various violent activities of militia groups
and ethno-religious unrests has threatened and continues to thwart the craze for socio-
economic and political growth of societies the world over. Boko Haram insurgence has only
come to worsen matters in the Nigerian socio-economic, religious and political landscape.
14
The sect, through several attacks and bombings with Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)
has brought to question the ability of the country’s intelligence community in this regard.
This is perhaps the worst in the anal of the nation’s security history since the end of the civil
However, Uwakwe, (2005) further raised an issue that, how have the mass media,
especially the broadcast media which are caught between sensationalizing stories to boost
patronage and objectively informing the people play this role, is another matter altogether.
Many have come to accuse the broadcast media of being biased in the reportage of the Boko
Haram crisis.
doubt demanded. The media owe the public a responsibility not just to report such
developments that easily attract adequate media coverage globally. In postcolonial Nigeria,
we have witnessed war and other forms of ethno-religious conflicts which research findings
have unveiled that these conflicts received adequate media attention. Bola (2010) affirmed
the above when he revealed in his study that conflicts in Nigeria have consistently received
fundamental and an expedient criterion for newsworthiness. For news (especially hard news)
to make the desired impact, timeliness is a core demand. It is a yardstick amongst others,
which is always employed to assess the worthiness of an event. Laying credence to the above
assertion, Okunna (1999: 46), affirmed that “the quality of newness is the most fundamental
of the criteria for determining what should qualify as news”. Supporting Okunna’s assertion,
15
The more recent an event is at the time of going to air or publication, the timelier and
more interesting it becomes. The closer the event, the more interesting it is; currency gives
news life. Remember, “Nothing is as dead as yesterday’s news”. This “latest development”
gives news its last-minute effect. Obviously, the factor of timeliness is no doubt very
In calling attention to crisis, timely basic information shall be provided to assist the
public and to facilitate rescue and other forms of amelioration. In so doing, the practitioners
have to be protected.
in conflict reportage. In fact, it is very correct to state here that timeliness is a social
responsibility which places a demand on the media to give timely account of events. Here, it
goes far beyond just giving account of events. Rather, timely account is seriously expected of
Therefore, it must be timely if it is to have value. This is in the sense that if an account of an
event is not rendered as soon as it happened, such an account may become stale later on. In
not of an event is whether an account of such an event at the guter the shortest possible time
interval following its occurrence. Otherwise, it ceases to be news. More so, Ngwu, (2000,
p.38), opined that;’’ we regard news as a perishable commodity. As such, it must be timely in
order to have value. This is in the sense that you render an account of an event as soon as it
happened. In other words, the account must have regency. If the account is not timely, the
16
Ngwu, (2006:52) further contends that “because news has always been regarded as a
perishable commodity, which is capable of getting sour, and coupled with competition from
other mass media organizations, the reporter always find himself faced with deadlines for
In Nigeria, scholars have contended that the media have not been timely in their
reportage of conflicts. Afolabi (2010:63) lends credence to the above assertion when he
unveiled in his study that the Nigerian media have not fared well in timely reportage of
insurgencies, particularly the Niger Delta crisis. Yusuf (2010:92) agreed with Afolabi when
he equally found in his study that the media have failed in giving timely account of Jos crisis.
Ikenna (2008:101) further lends credence to the above findings when he unveiled in his study
that the Nigerian media have not been very timely in their account of events, especially
insurgencies.
Another core responsibility of the media is the surveillance function. Here, the media
are expected to bring to the consciousness of the public impending dangers. This function
places a demand on the media to cover, analyze and report significant developments within
and outside a given society. Lasswell (1984) in Odigbo (2003, p.178), opines that “they (mass
media) watch over, guard and alert society of impending problems and often proffer the way
forward”.
Studies have revealed that the Nigerian media have not fared well in this regard. In his
position Okpara (2010) posited that the Nigerian media are yet to effectively play the
surveillance function of the media in their reportage of conflicts. He contended that this has
led to the unabated conflicts in Nigeria. Okali (2011) supported him when he said the
Nigerian media have not done well in discharging their surveillance role, particularly in the
17
In reporting daily occurrences, including the outbreak of conflicts, the media, despite
the ownership pattern are generally expected to display a real sense of objectivity. They must
ensure balance and fairness in their reports. This implies that their reports must be free from
bias. To guarantee this, all parties involved must be given equal attention. Stories must not be
one sided. Facts must be separated from opinions. All over the world, virtually the entire
broadcasting codes and journalism ethics emphasize objectivity in news reportage. In Nigeria
for instance, code 3.3.3 of the broadcasting code states that “all sides to any issue of public
interest shall be equitably presented to ensure fairness”. However, this cannot be possible as
the journalists rely on security agencies as their source of information during crisis situations.
Also, Code 2 (i) of the Code of Ethics for Nigerian journalists affirmed the above
when it states that; the public has a right to know. Factual, accurate, balance and fair
reporting is the ultimate objective of good journalism and the basis of earning public trust and
confidence. Unfair and unbalanced journalism is capable of eroding away public confidence
In Nigeria, it is very expedient to ask how the media have fared in upholding
objectivity, particularly during conflicts. Ademola and Okeke (2011, p.14) confirmed in their
study that the Nigerian media have been biased in reporting crisis in Nigeria; Oputa, (2011,
p.67) also believed that objectivity was not observed in media coverage of the Niger Delta
crisis. Lawrence (2011, p.99) equally revealed in his study that the Nigerian media,
particularly the broadcast media have been biased in their reportage of the Boko Haram
insurgence. He further contended that their reportage of the insurgency has most often
As affirmed earlier, the Boko Haram sect has carried out several deadly attacks which
have claimed lots of lives and properties. Within January 2010 to January 2012, Vanguard
18
Newspaper of December 10, 2011 and January 23, 2012, x-rayed major attacks that were
2. Friday January 28, 2011, group killed Borno State candidate of the All Nigeria
People’s Party (ANPP), Mr. ModuFannamiGubio, his brother, four police officers and
3. March 3, 2011: Three people were killed and 21 injured by an explosive device
8. April 15, 2011: The Maiduguri office of the Independent National Electoral
Commission was bombed, and several people were shot in a separate incident on the
same day.
9. April 20, 2011: Boko Haram killed a Muslim cleric and ambushed several Police
Officers in Maiduguri.
10. April 21, 2011: Two suspected bomb makers die in a blast in Kaduna.
19
2.4 EMPIRICAL REVIEW
In the literature review, various dimensions of the effects of ethno-religious conflicts
have been revealed. Toughall studies were not carried out in Bassa Local Government Area,
their findings are relevant to this research. The effects of ethno religious conflicts as
conducted by different scholars are presented in the succeeding part of the review.
Suleman and Jaafar (2010) carried out a study on the economic effects of farmer-
grazer conflicts in Nigeria with Bauchi as a case study. The study examines the economic
effects of farmer grazer conflicts in Fadama areas of Bauchi State. With a population of
4,696,465, using a multistage random sampling technique, a total of 60 Fadama farmers were
selected from 60 Fadama communities. Primary data were collected using structured
questionnaire administered through individual personal interview. The result reveals that
about three million, one hundred and ninety-three thousand one hundred naira (3,193,100)
was incurred from both totally damaged and partially destroyed tube. Well/wash bore
equipment with water pumps recording one hundred and seventy-six thousand, four hundred
and fifteen thousand (176,415) motorcycles and bicycles accounts for (565,254.00) in terms
of losses incurred. Comparatively, the arable farmers incurred higher. (80, 075,172,00) losses
The report further shows that reduction in farm production increased the poverty
within and among the communities and social insecurity. Also, inadequate food supply for
the family was the major setbacks encountered in the area. Furthermore, the income of
farmers in the conflict area was significantly lower than those in non-conflict areas.
This study is purely about the economic effect of farmer/grazer conflict. This study
has no ethno-religious connection with conflict. However, this researcher found it interesting
to bring out the economic angle of any kind of conflict. The effect from the empirical study
20
shows a devastating scenario of how people suffer economically after any conflict. This
captures one of the objectives of the present research which is to ascertain the economic
from the Rwandan genocide, the researcher investigated the role of mass media in terms of
conflict and state sponsored mass violent against civilians. The researcher used a unique
village-level data set from the Rwandan genocide to investigate the impact of a popular radio
station that encourages violence against the Tutsi minority population. The paper provides
evidence that mass killing can affect participation in violence directly due to exposure and
indirectly due to social interaction. The result shows that the broadcast had a significant
impact on participation in killings and both militia groups and ordinary civilians.
attributed to the radio station. The broadcast increase militia violence not only directly by
influencing behavior in villages with radio reception but also indirectly in increasing
participation in neighboring villages. In fact, spill over are estimated to have cost more militia
violence than the direct effects. The result further shows that the hate speeches propagated by
the RTLM radio station increase the participation of the Tutsi by the Hutu. The conflict led to
social dislocation of event, mass killing, displacement of people and the total creeping of the
economic activities. This study is related to this work in many instances. First, the study
under review like this one focused on the effect of negative media reportage of conflict. It
considers the social and economic effect of the conflict as it relates to the coexistence of
on Southern Kaduna, the researcher used oral interview in gathering data and discovered that
many people in the area were displaced because their houses were either burnt down or
destroyed. Farming activities which is the mainstay of the people has also been adversely
21
affected as many farmers stay at home because of fear of attack. The study also found out that
there is mutual suspicion among the indigenes and the Fulani herdsmen. This study has link
with the present research on the social and economic lives of the people and how they are
affected.
Afghanistan has suffered various conflicts of religious dimension. A study carried out
by Srinivasa in (2006) shows high degree of mental disorder and trauma. The first study used
a national multistage, cluster population-based survey including 799 adult households aged
15 years and above. Sixty-two percent of the respondents reported experiencing at least four
trauma events in the previous ten years. Symptoms of depression were found in 67.7% of
42%. The disabled women had a poorer mental health status and there was a significant
relationship between the mental health status and traumatic events. The second study using a
Afghanistan. About 1011 respondents aged 15 years and above formed the sample. Nearly
half of the population had experienced traumatic events. Symptoms of depression were
observed in 38.5% of respondents, symptoms of anxiety in 51.8% and Post- Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) in 20.4%. High rates of symptoms were associated with higher number of
This empirical study is related to the current research because of its religious
dimension in conflict situation. The result of the psychological effect of the study show a
high degree of mental disorder and trauma. This is also in line with one of the objectives of
this research which is to assess the psychological effects of ethno religious conflict. However,
unlike the current research which looked at media related causes of ethno religious conflicts,
22
Savolainen (2007) carried out a study on media credibility and cognitive authority.
The empirical data were gathered from August – September, 2005 in the city of Tampere
through the electronic mailing list of the local associations for environmental issues. After the
participants, fourteen were females and six males. The ages of the informants varied from
twenty-one to fifty-nine averaging thirty-four years. Eight participants had university degrees,
five had completed occupational education and seven were university undergraduates.
Several occupations were represented among the informants, for example, engineering,
guiding, taxi driving and teaching. Of the participants, four had permanent jobs, five
temporary employments while three were unemployed, and one was on maternity leave.
The semi structured interview took averagely an hour. In the interview, the
participants were first asked to characterize their way of seeking, orienting and problem
specific information. They were specially asked to characterize their ways of assessing the
credibility of information sources and the criteria by which they find a source believable or
unbelievable. The empirical data were analyzed by means of qualitative content analysis.
The empirical findings indicate that print media (Newspapers), the internet and the
broadcast media (Radio, Television) were preferred in seeking oriental information. The most
frequently mentioned source preference were content of information and availability and
accessibility while usability of information. Nine interviewees out of twenty found it difficult
to identify the most credible media or information sources. They were not able to give
definite answers to questions such as whether for example a newspaper was more credible
than the internet in cases of encountering contradictory information. The frequent answer
was: it depends‟. Media credibility was perceived to be situationally sensitive and closely
related to the topic of interest when monitoring events through it or personal sources.
Interestingly, broadcast media (Radio and Television) were not rated among the most
23
credible sources, even though Television appeared to be a fairly popular source of orienting
information.
This study is directly related to the present research which deals with media and
to professional ethics which will to a large extent reduce incidences of conflicts associated
with bad media reportage. However, this empirical study does not treat ethnic or religious
aspects of conflicts. It only looks at the factors that make a media house credible or
otherwise. It is this credibility that determines the content of its news and reportage.
A study by Alagbu (2010) on the effects of religious and ethnic conflict on women
and children in Northern Nigeria discovers that religious and ethnic conflicts cause physical
pain and psychological trauma. The study used four Likert scale /structural questionnaire and
interview to get the view of 2168 respondents. The result reveals that such conflicts bring
about reduction in the economic capability of the family which reduces parents’ ability to
send their children to school. There is destruction of economic resources and property of
individual families. It is also discovered that ethnic and religious conflicts have an inhibition
effect on normal worship service due to fear on the part of the worshippers. It also
This study has connection with the present work which is about the effects of media
reportage of religious and ethnic conflicts on Christians and Muslims in Kaduna State. Again,
the current work shares similar objectives with the empirical study reviewed in the area of
social, economic and psychological effects caused by ethnic and religious conflicts. The only
difference between the two studies is that the empirical research focuses on women and
children while this work is all encompassing that is it examines the effects on both Christians
24
2.5 THEORETICAL FRAME WORK
Various media theories are connected to this research study. These media theories
include: The Magic Bullet Theory, Conflict theory and the Social Cognitive Theory.
conflict in society: how conflict starts and varies, and the effects it brings. The central
concerns of conflict theory are the unequal distribution of scarce resources and power. What
these resources are might be different for each theorist, but conflict theorists usually work
with Weber’s three systems of stratification: class, status, and power. Conflict theorists
generally see power as the central feature of society, rather than thinking of society as held
functionalists do. Where power is located and who uses it (and who doesn’t) are thus
fundamental to conflict theory. In this way of thinking about things, power isn’t necessarily
bad: it is a primary factor that guides society and social relations. Concepts and Theory:
Variation in Conflict Coser argues that conflict is instinctual for us, so we find it
everywhere in human society. There is the conflict of war, but there is also the conflict that
But Coser also argues that conflict is different for humans than for other animals in
that our conflicts can be goal related. There is generally something that we are trying to
achieve through conflict, and there are different possible ways of reaching our goal. The
existence of the possibility of different paths opens up opportunities for negotiation and
different types and levels of conflict. Because Coser sees conflict as a normal and functional
part of human life, he can talk about its variation in ways that others missed, such as the level
of violence and functional consequences. Basic Sources of Conflict First, we want to consider
what brings on social conflict in the first place. As I pointed out in the definition of conflict
25
theory, most social conflict is based on the unequal distribution of scarce resources. Weber
Weber, as well as Simmel, also pointed out the importance of the crosscutting
influences that originate with the different structures of inequality. For example, a working
class black person may not share the same political interests as a working class white person.
The different status positions of these two people may cut across their similar class interests.
Thus, what becomes important as a source of social conflict is the covariance of these three
systems of stratification. If the public perceives that the same group controls access to all
three resources, it is likely that the legitimacy of the system will be questioned because
The other general source of conflict comes from Marx. Marx’s concern was with a
group’s sense of deprivation caused by class. This sense of deprivation is what leads a group
to class consciousness and produces conflict and social change. Marx was primarily
concerned with explaining the structural changes or processes that would bring the working
class to this realization, such things as rising levels of education and worker concentration
that are both structurally demanded by capitalism. Contemporary conflict theory has modified
the idea of deprivation by noting that it is the shift from absolute to relative deprivation that is
significant in producing this kind of critical awareness. Absolute deprivation refers to the
condition of being destitute, living well below the poverty line where life is dictated by
People in such a condition have neither the resources nor the willpower to become
involved in conflict and social change. Relative deprivation, however, refers to a sense of
being underprivileged relative to some other person or group. The basics of life aren’t in
question here; it’s simply the sense that others are doing better and that we are losing out on
something. These people and groups have the emotional and material resources to become
26
involved in conflict and social change. But it isn’t relative deprivation itself that motivates
people; it is the shift from absolute to relative deprivation that may spark a powder keg of
revolt. People who are upwardly mobile in this way have the available resources, and they
may experience a sense of loss or deprivation if the economic structural changes can’t keep
pace with their rising expectations. Predicting the Level of Violence Simmel and Coser
move us past these basic premises to consider the ways in which conflict can fluctuate. One
of the more important ways that conflict can vary is by its level of violence. If people
perceive conflict as a means to achieving clearly expressed rational goals, then conflict will
tend to be less violent. A simple exchange is a good example. Because of the tension present
engage in exchange in order to achieve a goal, and that desired end directs most other factors.
articulated goals and the strikers usually do not want the struggle to become violent—the
violence can detract from achieving their goals (though strikes will become violent under
certain conditions).
The passive resistance movements of the sixties and early seventies are other
examples. We can think of these kinds of encounters as the strategic use of conflict.
However, conflict can be violent, and Coser gives us two factors that can produce violent
conflict: emotional involvement and transcendent goals. In order to become violent, people
must be emotionally engaged. Durkheim saw that group interaction could increase emotional
involvements and create moral boundaries around group values and goals. He didn’t apply
this to conflict, but Coser does. The more involved we are with a group, the greater is our
emotional involvement and the greater the likelihood of violent conflict if our group is
threatened. Conflict will also tend to have greater levels of violence when the goals of a
group are seen to be transcendent. As long as the efforts of a group are understood to be
27
directed toward everyday concerns, people will tend to moderate their emotional involvement
and thus keep conflict at a rational level. If, on the other hand, we see the goals of our group
as being greater than the group and the concerns of daily life, then conflict is more likely to
be violent.
For example, when the United States goes to war, the reasons are never expressed by
our government in mundane terms. We did not say that we fought the First Gulf War in order
to protect our oil interests; we fought the war in order to defeat oppression, preserve freedom,
and protect human rights. Anytime violence is deemed necessary by a government, the
reasons are couched in moral terms (capitalists might say they fight for individual freedoms;
communists would say they fight for social responsibility and the dignity of the collective).
The existence of transcendent goals is why the Right to Life side of the abortion conflict
tends to exhibit more violence than advocates of choice— their goals are more easily linked
to transcendent issues and can thus be seen as God-ordained. Concepts and Theory:
The Integrating Forces of Conflict Coser makes the case for two kinds of functional
consequences of conflict: conflict that occurs within a group and conflict that occurs outside
the group.
An example of internal conflict is the tension that can exist between indigenous
populations or first nations and the national government. Notice that this internal conflict is
actually between or among groups that function within the same social system.
Examples of external group conflicts are the wars in which a nation may involve
itself.
28
When considering the consequences for internal group conflict, Coser is concerned with low-
level and more frequent conflict. When explaining the consequences for external conflict, he
The Bullet and the Needle in the 1920s and 1930s, scholars were concerned with
making sense of the influence of both wartime propaganda and what were seen as widespread
effects of radio and newspapers on the attitudes of individual citizens. The words of Harold
Lasswell, a prominent mass communication researcher during this time, reflect the thinking
of that time period. In Propaganda Techniques in the World War, Lasswell (1927) wrote,
complexity of society through industrialization, urbanization, and other factors and concluded
that individuals were becoming isolated and thus unable to form meaningful connections of
This view of the mass society emphasized the following characteristics (DeFleur&
isolation. Impersonality prevails in individuals’ interactions with each other. Individuals are
relatively free from the demands of binding informal social obligations. Individuals in this
conception of society were seen as easy targets of the magic bullets from the media.
Individuals in a mass society were disconnected, or atomized; hence, the powerful media
could affect them directly and strongly. In viewing the audience as isolated and impersonal,
the media were seen as having a uniform and powerful impact on all members of society.
Picture in your mind the classic pictures of crowds of German citizens, saluting as one in
political gathering as Adolf Hitler rose to power. This is the mass society as conceptualized
29
2.5.2 Social Cognitive Theory
As media theorists moved away from the strong effects models of the magic bullet
injecting its content into the undifferentiated mass audience and toward limited effects
models, many scholars relied on psychological theories that distinguished between S-R
models and S-O-R models. In other words, theorists began to ask about what human
media message and the audience’s response. One of the most obvious conceptualizations for
this role of the organism (i.e., the “O”) is to see people as learners who could think about the
content of the media and whose thinking could then make a difference in the acquisition of
Thus, turning to learning theories as a way to understand media effects made a great
deal of sense in the middle of the 20th century. Early psychologists in the behaviorist mode
(e.g., John B. Watson and B. F. Skinner) were concerned with the extent to which human
Dollard (1941). These researchers posited that if humans were motivated to learn a particular
behavior, they would be able to learn by observing models and then be positively reinforced
by imitating those models. That is, a child might observe another child playing with an
unfamiliar toy. The observing child could then imitate the observed child and be rewarded by
the pleasures of play. These ideas were the first version of social learning theory.
Since these early ideas were proposed about the role of imitation in the acquisition of
behavior, theoretical thinking about social learning has developed. The leader in the
development of social learning theory (relabeled in the 1970s and 1980s as social cognitive
theory) has been Albert Bandura. Bandura’s first key ideas in the area (Bandura, 1962)
further developed Miller and Dollard’s earlier ideas about imitative learning. In more recent
30
publications, Bandura has elaborated on the process of social learning and on cognitive and
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the research design, population procedure for data collection,
sampling techniques. The methodology is geared towards collecting the appropriate data that
will help make an informed decision. It spells out step by step procedure to gather and
analyze the data collected. This research is to determine the effect of Peace FM in ethno-
religious conflicts in Bassa Local Government in Plateau State. The essence of chapter three
is to show the suitable method for data collection and analysis of the research work.
process of creating an empirical test to support or refute knowledge of claim. Therefore, this
study adopted a survey method of study. Survey is a form of research were population are
being studied by collecting and analyzing data from a sample of the population considered
representative. This will help the researcher to get important information about the study and
help to make descriptive analysis and interpretation of the research problem. Osuala (2001)
sufficed that survey are oriented towards the isolation of causative factors. Survey research is
used because it is more realistic than experiment as it investigates circumstances that are
31
Also, it does not only uncover data but it interprets, combine separate elements into a single
unit mix merge, and blend the data and points to implications and mutual dependence
The experimental method of design was also adopted because the method of the correlation is
good and there is time priority in a causal relationship which brings about the consistency in a
scientific approach to research in which the researcher manipulate one or two variables
target group which a researcher is interested in studying, and about which he intends to obtain
This research covers those who are dwellers in Jos, Plateau state and Bassa in
particular due to how research territory. Areas of Bassa Local Government affected by the
recent ethno-religious conflict were: Rukuba and the Irigwe. Therefore, this research
proposes to make these two major tribes the population of the study.
The elements and subjects related to this particular phenomenon of research included students
and different fields of life to these who listen to Peace FM daily and know the nature of
programming that the Peace Fm employs and its effect on the conflicts of ethnicity and
Government was created in 1976 during the local reforms of General Olusegun Obasanjo
32
administration. It is the nearest Local government to Jos North Local Government and it
occupies an area of 1, 693 square kilometers and has the population of about 189, 834
according the 2006 National Population Census. The main ethnic groups or languages in the
Local Government are: Irigwe, Rukuba, Amo, Buji, Chawai among many others.
method. This method was used so as to ensure that every category of the population selected
sampling, all possible samples of fixed size have probability of being selected. A sample
drawn at random is unbiased in a sense that no member of the population has any more
Research populations are usually very large and extensive and therefore almost
impossible for researcher to reach and obtain information from each and every member.
Due to time constraints and resources at the researcher’s disposal, one hundred and
disposition about the role of the Peace FM in Ethno-religious conflicts in Bassa LGA.
Government Area while qualitatively an interview guide will be used to interview a staff of
33
Peace FM 90.5. This is to ensure that a balance data is gathered and collected in the side of
data that can be converted into numbers for statistical review. The researchers intend to
personally share the questionnaire to the respondents physically thereby monitoring the
process and making sure the questionnaires are returned immediately after filling them to
reduce the create of non-return of questionnaires from the target audience who are picked at
random.
about the research study and also to make descriptive analysis and interpretation of problem.
Osuala (2001) says that questionnaires are meant to define the problem to be tackled by the
survey and hence to decide on which questions to ask which will be concise and simple
enough for the respondents. The interview and questionnaire will enable the researcher
extract first hand data needed for analysis for this study. The questionnaire will cover
validity of the instrument because for an instrument to test what it is intended to test; it must
be satisfied valid. This involves measuring the same individual at two points in a time. After
which a pilot study was embarked upon to ascertain areas of complexities and doubt for the
respondents and it was found to measure the variable it is set out to measure and also indicate
a high level of consistency, considering its face, construct and predictive validity.
34
3.9 METHOD OF DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
In this study, the researchers will adopt tabulation as a method of analysis. the
questionnaire will be sorted in different numbers and the total responses will be summed up
and this form the basis after the questionnaires has been assembled and organized in a tabular
form which will be carefully analyzed in order of simple frequency and percentage.
Toluhi (2001) describe it as percentage which expresses a rate of the total of the variables as
100 terms.
35
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION
4.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter includes the main variables covered. The data analysed and interpreted
are for the questions stated .out of 150 copies of questionnaire administered to respondents in
Bassa Local Government Area and Jos Metropolis respectively, only 144 copies were
retrieved and are valid for analysis and decision making. Therefore, the analysis is based on
144 questionnaires.
36
4.2 DATA PRESENTATION
Gender
Male 56 39
Female 88 61
Total 144 100
Age
20-30 72 50
31-40 30 21
41-50 22 15
51 and Above 20 14
Total 144 100
Marital Status
Single 84 58
Married 46 38
Divorced 14 10
Total 144 100
Religion
Christianity 85 59
Islam 59 41
Others 0 0
Total 144 100
Educational Status
Primary certificate 18 13
WAEC and NECO 42 29
OND/HND/NCE 40 28
B.Sc. 44 30
Total 144 100
37
Gender Distribution of Respondents
Analysis: The above table shows the gender distribution of the respondents. It was
discovered that out of 144 respondents, 56 respondents representing 39% were males while
88 respondents representing 61% were females. This implies that the majority of the
respondents are women and that women participate more when it comes to academic
Analysis: The table above show the age range of the respondent 50% (n=72) of the
respondents were within the age bracket of 20-30 years of age while 21%(n=30) were within
the age bracket of 31-40 and 15% (n=22) were within the age of 41-50, while 14% (n=20)
were within the range of 51 and above. there by showing that the majority of respondents
Analysis: The table above shows the marital status of the respondents which shows that 84
respondents representing 58% were single while 46 respondents representing 38% were
Analysis: Table five shows the educational qualification of the respondents and it shows that
13% (n=18) were primary school holders while 29% (n=42) were secondary school
certificate holders (WAEC/NECO) and 28% (n=40) were OND/HND/NCE holders while
30%(n=44) were Degree holders. Therefore, it shows that the most respondents were Degree
(BSC) holders implying that the level of literacy in Bassa Local Government is improving.
38
Religion
Analysis: The Table show the religion of the respondents and it shows that 85 respondents
representing 59% were Christians while 59 respondents representing 41% were Muslims
S/N S t a t e m e n t S A A U D D S D ̅)
Mean (𝒙 Remark
1 Adequate at ention has be n given to ethno-religious conflict in Bas a Local government by Peace 90.5FM 54 (38%) 52 (38%) 28 (19%) 10 (7%) - 2 . 8 Accepted
2 Reports from Peace 90.5 FM were free from bias 10 (7%) 42 (29%) 82 (57%) 8 (6%) 2 (1%) 3 . 5 Accepted
3 Reporters from Peace 90.5FM are aware of the importance of providing unbiased information on the Ethno- Religious Conflict. 12 (8%) 18 (33%) 70 (49%) 12 (8%) 2 (1%) 3 . 5 Accepted
4 Objectivity is ustained and encouraged by Peace 90.5 FM reports on the Ethno-Religious Conflict. 48 (32%) 54 (37%) 28 (19%) 12 (8%) 4 (3%) 3 . 5 Accepted
This table shows that the response of the respondents. 54 respondents (38%) strongly
39
disagreed therefore, showing that majority of the respondents strongly agreed that adequate
respondents (6%) disagreed while 2 respondents (1%) strongly disagreed. thereby showing
that majority of the respondents had no decisions on whether reports from Peace 90.5FM
The table above shows that 12 respondents (8%) strongly agreed, 18 respondents
respondents (1%) strongly disagreed therefore, showing that majority of the respondents’
undecided.
The table shows that 48 respondents (32%) strongly agreed, 54 respondents (37%)
respondents (3%) strongly disagreed. this implies that majority of the respondents agreed that
40
Table 3: Level of performance on Ethnoreligious conflict
S/N Statement S A A U D D S D ̅)
Mean (𝒙 Remark
1 Reports on Ethno-Religious Conflicts are monitored by Peace 90.5FM 46 (32%) 54 (37%) 28 (19%) 12 (8%) 4 (3%) 3 . 5 Accepted
2 Ef orts were made by reporters of Peace 90.5 FM to curb the Ethno-Religious conflicts are reported to the public. 22 (15%) 72 (50%) 24 (17%) 18 (12%) 8 (5%) 3 . 5 Accepted
3 Adequate measures are put in place to ensure step by step fol ow up of information got en. 28 (19%) 54 (37%) 28 (19%) 22 (15%) 12 (8%) 3 . 5 Accepted
4 Reports by Peace 90.5FM has made the public aware of ethno- religious conflicts. 34 (24%) 62 (43%) 20 (14%) 26 (18%) 2 (1%) 3 . 5 Accepted
5 Peace 90.5FM has effectively reported on figures of death. 40 (28%) 40 (28%) 28 (19%) 22 (15%) 14 (10%) 3 . 5 Accepted
The above table shows that 46 respondents (32%) strongly agreed, 54 respondents
respondents (3%) strongly disagreed. Therefore, this states that majority of the respondents
agreed that the reports on ethno-religious conflicts are monitored by Peace 90.5FM.
The above table shows that 22 respondents (15%) strongly agreed, 72 respondents
respondents (5%) strongly disagreed. therefore, this implies that the most respondents agreed
adequate measures are put in place to ensure step by step follow up of information gotten.
The table above shows that 34 respondents (24%) strongly agreed, 62 respondents
respondents (1%) strongly disagreed. this states that majority of the respondents agreed that
reports by Peace 90.5FM has made the public aware of ethno-religious conflicts.
respondents (10%) strongly disagreed. therefore, this states that there was a bracket between
two variables as 40 respondents strongly agreed and 40 also agreed that peace 90.5FM has
42
Research Question 3: How does ownership of Peace 90.5FM influences the escalation or de-
Table 4: How Peace 90.5FM influences the escalation or de - escalation of the Ethno-
Religious Conflicts in Bassa Local Government?
S/N Statement S A A U D D S D ̅)
Mean (𝒙 Remark
1 Reporters of Peace 90.5FM are aware of the importance of providing an unbiased information on the ethno-religious conflict in Bas a Local Gov24
ernment. (17%) 40 (27%) 76 (53%) 4 (3%) - 2 . 8 Accepted
2 Control the amount of information dis emination on Ethno-Religious Conflicts. 24 (17%) 68 (47%) 30 (21%) 12 (8%) 10 (7%) 3 . 5 Accepted
3 Peace 90.5FM Reports on Bas a Ethno-Religious Conflicts has favoured public interest over the image of the government. 28 (19%) 46 (32%) 28 (19%) 16 (11%) 26 (18%) 3 . 5 Accepted
The table above shows that 24 respondents (17%) strongly agreed, 40 respondents
(28%) agreed, 76 respondents (53%) undecided, 4 respondents (3%) disagreed and none
Table above, shows that 24 respondents (17%) strongly agreed, 68 respondents (47%)
(7%) strongly disagreed. therefore, showing that most respondents agreed owners of media
The table above shows that 28 respondents (19%) strongly agreed, 46 respondents
respondents (18%) disagreed strongly. therefore, and stating that majority of the respondents
43
Research Question 4: How does the intervention of Peace 90.5 FM influenced the
Area?
1 Peace 90.5 FM takes sides in the reportage of Bassa Ethno-Religious Conflict. 42 (29%) 22 (15%) 46 (32%) 24 (17%) 8 (5%) 3 . 5 Accepted
2 Peace 90.5 FM reports on the Ethno-Religious Conflict has incited more violence. 18 (12%) 16 (11%) 30 (21%) 56 (39%) 24 (17%) 3 . 5 Accepted
3 Peace 90.5 FM reports on Bas a Ethno-Religious Conflict has provided reliable information that has led to stabil ty and escalation. 36 (25%) 58 (40%) 30 (21%) 14 (10%) 6 (4%) 3 . 5 Accepted
while 8 respondents (5%) strongly disagreed. implying that majority of respondents had no
The above table states that 12%(n=18) strongly agreed, 11%(n=16) agreed,
The above table states that 36 respondents (25%) strongly agreed, 58 respondents
respondents (4%) strongly disagreed showing that majority of the respondents agree that
44
4.4 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
Research Question 1: Objective of peace 90.5Fm in reporting ethno-religious
As shown on the table above, (table 3) that 10 of respondents (7%) strongly agreed
that adequate attention has been given to ethnic religious conflict in Bassa and that the reports
respondents ( 6%) disagreed .This has shown that deliberate subjectivity arises because in
reporting daily occurrences, including the outbreak of conflicts, the media, despite the
ownership pattern are generally expected to display a real sense of objectivity. They must
ensure balance and fairness in their reports. This implies that their reports must be free from
bias. To guarantee this, all parties involved must be given equal attention. Stories must not be
one sided. Facts must be separated from opinions. All over the world, virtually the entire
broadcasting codes and journalism ethics emphasize objectivity in news reportage. In Nigeria
for instance, code 3.3.3 of the broadcasting code states that “all sides to any issue of public
interest shall be equitably presented to ensure fairness”. However, this cannot be possible as
the journalists rely on security agencies as their source of information during crisis situations.
Also, Code 2 (i) of the Code of Ethics for Nigerian journalists affirmed the above
when it states that; the public has a right to know. Factual, accurate, balance and fair
reporting is the ultimate objective of good journalism and the basis of earning public trust and
confidence. Unfair and unbalanced journalism is capable of eroding away public confidence
Local Government.
Table shows that 22 respondents (15%) strongly agreed, 72 respondents (50%) agreed,
45
strongly disagreed. Therefore, this implies that the most respondents agreed that efforts to
However, Uwakwe, (2005) further raised an issue that, how have the mass media,
especially the broadcast media which are caught between sensationalizing stories to boost
patronage and objectively informing the people play this role, is another matter altogether.
Many have come to accuse the broadcast media of being biased in the reportage of the Boko
Haram crisis.
doubt demanded. The media owe the public a responsibility not just to report such
developments that easily attract adequate media coverage globally. In postcolonial Nigeria,
we have witnessed war and other forms of ethno-religious conflicts which research findings
have unveiled that these conflicts received adequate media attention. Bola (2010) affirmed
the above when he revealed in his study that conflicts in Nigeria have consistently received
maximum media coverage. This has further shown that attention was given to the ethno-
journalist (1819-1897) is that “when dog bites a man it is not news but when a man bites a
dog it is news.” Readers are normally drawn to headlines that are very catchy and captivating
and such headlines sell newspapers and magazines. Owens-Ibie (32) reinforces this assertion
when he argues that the media are naturally attracted to conflicts, and that conflicts often
generate media attention because they fit into the definition of what is considered news by
who become important definers of conflict. According to him, these elements help the media
46
to define news in negative terms and conflict tends to satisfy the public demand for
Research Question 3: How ownership of Peace90.5FM Influences the reports of the Ethno-
Table shows that 24 respondents (17%) strongly agreed, 40 respondents (28%) agreed, 76
respondents (53%) undecided, 4 respondents (3%) disagreed and none disagreed strongly.
Ownership is one of the central factors that determine how the mass media perform
their roles in any society, because as the popular saying goes “he who pays the piper dictates
the tune.” Therefore, in practical terms, scholars, especially those from the Marxist
perspective do not subscribe to the notion that it is possible to have a neutral media anywhere
in the world. According to Karl Marx: The class which has the means of material production
at its disposal has control at the same time over the means of mental production, so that
thereby, generally speaking, the ideas of those who lack the means of mental production are
subject to it (qtd in Curran et al. 22). Karl Marx argues further that the mass media simply
disseminate the ideas and world views of the ruling class, and deny or defuse alternative
ideas. No matter the benevolence of the government, no matter the democratic principles of
the society and no matter the advancement of any society, the mass media are usually
subjected to some form of control from their proprietors. It is the ownership pattern that
determines the management of any media organisation because all media organizations are
Research Question 4: How the intervention of peace 90.5FM has influence the escalation or
Table shown above states that 36 respondents (25%) strongly agreed, 58 respondents
47
respondents (4%) strongly disagreed showing that majority of the respondents agree that
The media impact on the escalation of conflict is therefore more widely recognized
than the media impact on peace building. A common journalist principle is: “If it bleeds, it
leads” (www.urbandictionary.com/define). That means that the media loves violence and
conflict to form headline news, as against news of dialogue and understanding. This tendency
to give priority to the media impact on the escalation of conflict is therefore more widely
recognized than the media impact on peace building. A common journalist principle is: “If it
violence and conflict to form headline news, as against news of dialogue and understanding.
This tendency to give priority to conflict and violence news over peace news distorts reality
and leads many people to think that conflict is pervasive and peace is abnormal. Several
studies confirm that the impact of the media on conflict escalation is greater than the impact
of the media on conflict prevention and peace building. Peace journalism scholar Gadi
Wolfsfeld notes that there is a “fundamental contradiction between the nature of a peace
process and news values, the media often play a destructive role in attempts at making
peace”. Media and media professionals tend to favour four values: immediacy, drama,
simplicity and ethnocentrism. These values make it difficult to use the media for peace. As a
result of their ability to reach and influence large numbers of people, the media carry
immense power in shaping the and violence news over peace news distorts reality and leads
many people to think that conflict is pervasive and peace is abnormal. Several studies
confirm that the impact of the media on conflict escalation is greater than the impact of the
media on conflict prevention and peace building. Peace journalism scholar GadiWolfsfeld
notes that there is a “fundamental contradiction between the nature of a peace process and
news values, the media often play a destructive role in attempts at making peace” (2). Media
48
and media professionals tend to favour four values: immediacy, drama, simplicity and
ethnocentrism. These values make it difficult to use the media for peace. As a result of their
ability to reach and influence large numbers of people, the media carry immense power in
49
CHAPTER FIVE
peace 90.5FM on the plateau. In doing this, the study relied mainly on secondary sources of
data by critically analyzing some sample who are based in Bassalocal government and Jos
metropolis. The study also extensively reviewed related and relevant literature on ethno-
religious conflict, effects of ethno-religious conflict and the role of mass media on national
development. In the process the study discovered gaps yet to be filled which among other
things have to do with the role of the media in escalating or de-escalating ethno-religious
the detriment of the ethics guiding the profession. It was also discovered that the traditional
pattern of viewing and reporting news cannot be adopted by media professionals when
reporting ethno-religious conflicts. While analyzing the mass media reportage of the various
ethno-religious conflicts in the past three decades, the study found that the media reportage
was in the process it was also revealed that lack of sensitivity in media reportage of ethno-
religious conflicts has adverse effects on the escalation of the conflicts which in turn affected
national development. And that Peace 90.5FM lacks balance when it comes to reporting
5.2 CONCLUSION
So far, attempts have been made to discuss the adverse effects of ethno-religious
conflicts in Nigeria especially plateau state. This study concludes that ethno-religious
conflicts are protracted, widespread, complicated and dangerous forms of conflicts plaguing
50
Nigeria today, especially the northern part of the country. These conflicts have lingered on
for the past three decades without solutions in sight. The aftermath of these conflicts led to
the destruction of lives and property, physical and mental devastation, deprivation and
The Mass media’s roles in escalating or deescalating these incessant conflicts have
been questioned by scholars and non-scholars alike. The result of this study shows that the
general knowledge of journalism is not enough for most media professionals to report ethno-
religious conflicts effectively. As a result, the consequence can be a reporting style that feeds
on and repeats the worst stereotypes, the drama and the immediacy of conflict, and fuels their
ignition into violence as the study has shown. The mass media therefore, can overcome many
of the challenges of reporting ethno-religious conflicts when they understand the psychology
and the emotion involved in ethnic and religious issues. Once the media practitioners are able
to understand various issues and intricacies of ethno-religious conflicts, they will engage in
objective and responsible reportage for a peaceful society which will lead to national
Nigeria, especially Muslims and Christians, can best be promoted by the mass media for
national development. National development on the other hand cannot take place in the face
of incessant ethno-religious conflicts with their attendant destruction of lives and property.
That is why all institutions in the society, especially the mass media should carry out their
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
Bearing in mind the findings of this study in mind and the reality of violent Ethno-
religious conflicts in Nigeria in the previous years and effects on national development, all
institutions in Nigeria should perform their functions responsibly for national development.
51
1. The mass media should do much more than reporting conflicts from a distance
especially the indigenous media. The mass media must be involved in deliberate
peace, unity and social equilibrium for national development in a pluralistic society
like Nigeria.
2. Religious leaders should try as much as possible to give proper teachings and
interpretations of their religious tenets and dogmas to their followers in order to avoid
3. Religious, political, ethnic and other leaders should stop using religion and ethnicity
for their selfish ends to avoid ethno-religious conflict so as to ensure unity and
national development.
52
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Department of Mass Communication,
Faculty of Arts,
University of Jos,
Plateau State.
May, 2019.
Dear Respondent,
My name is Dechi, Judith Jana a 400-level student of the department of mass communication,
University of Jos. I am conducting a research on the topic: the role of peace FM 90.5 FM in
ethno-religious conflict in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. Before answering
thses questions, please read the following about “Peace FM 90.5” Plateau Radio (Peace Fm)
is a radio station own the plateau state government? It is a company working in radio
I humbly solicit your indulgent to provide relevant information on the topic. All information
will be treated confidential and would be used for academic purpose only.
Yours faithfully,
Dechi Jana
57
SECTION A
1. SEX:MaleFemale
OND/HND NCE/DEGREE
SECTION B
The following questions are measured basically on direction and intensify. You are to tick on
SA = Strongly Agreed
A = Agreed
D = Disagreed
SD = Strongly Disagreed
UD = Undecided
58
RESEARCH QUESTIONS ONE
CONFLICT IN BASSA.
S/N I T E M S SA A UD D S D
6 Adequate attention has been given to ethno-religious conflict in Bassa LGA by Peace 90.5 FM
7 Reports from Peace 90.5 FM are free from bia s
8 Report from Peace 90.5 FM are aware of the importance
9 Providing an un biased information on ethno-religious conflict in Bassa
1 0 Objectivity is sustained and encouraged by peace 90.5 FM report on ethno-religious conflict.
BASSA LGA.
S/N I T E M S SA A UD D SD
1 1 Reports on ethno- religious are monitored by Peace 90.5 FM
1 2 efforts by reporters of peace 90.5 FM to curb the ethno-religious conflict are reported to the public
1 3 Adequate measures are put in place to ensure step by step follow up of information gotten
1 4 Reports by Peace 90.5 FM has made or the public aware of ethno-religious conflicts.
1 5 Peace FM 90.5 has effectively reported on figures of death.
S/N I T E M S SA A UD D SD
1 6 Reports of Peace 90.5 FM are aware of the importance providing an unbiased information on ethno-religious conflict in Bassa LGA
1 7 Owners of media houses control the amount of information dissemination ethno-religious conflict
1 8 Peace 90.5 FM reports on Bassa ethno- religious conflict has favoured public interest over the image of the government
59
RESEARCH QUESTION FOUR
HOW THE INTERVENTION OF PEACE 90.5 FM HAS INFLUENCES THE
ESCALATION OR DE-ESCALATION OF THE ETHNO-RELIGIOUS CONFLICT
IN BASSA LGA.
S/N I T E M S SA A UD D SD
2 0 Peace 90.5 FM reports don the ethno-religious conflict has incited more violence
2 1 Peace 90.5 FM reports on Bassa ethno-religious conflict provided reliable information that led to stability and de-escalation.
60