Electoral Mapping and the Mass Media: Can Nigeria Learn from USA?

Abstract

The mass media generally constitutes a major source of political information for citizens of any nation. As an objective source of information, maps help pass across information about regions and places which otherwise could have remained vague in the imagination of the public. As important journalistic tools, maps enhance the communication of information. Apart from providing the geographical background for news items ,they also attract and hold readers attention, help interpret the meaning of an event, and increase message retention. Where poorly designed maps are used, or a low level of map use is noticed, it means that there is a low level of map awareness both in the media and the audience in that environment. It also suggests that the media is feeding the public with wrong and inadequate information since maps deal with factual and precise information. Events like wars, natural disasters, accidents and elections provide the opportunity for news organization to show case their best way of communicating such information that attract a wide range of readership. A high level of map use has long been associated with the media in North America. The 2008 USA presidential election provided an opportunity for researchers to monitor the application of maps in electoral reporting. Researchers have long recognized the contrast between map use in North America and in Nigeria. While there is a high level of map use in the media and the public in North America, the reverse is the case in Nigeria. This study analyses the use of maps by many organizations in their portrayal of that election and suggests ways Nigeria can benefit from their experiences. In Nigeria’s quest for global political relevance, there is ineed for the country’s media and the public to benefit from the lessons that can be learnt from the 2008 American elections. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n1p279