Media and conflict reporting: a content analysis and victims assessment of media coverage of the conflict between Farmers and Herdsmen in Nigeria

Abstract

There is an increase in violent clashes between Herdsmen and Farmers in Nigeria. Along with it, there is a growing amount of research that specifically investigates the conflict. Existing research on this topic mostly employed content analysis to understand media coverage of the conflict and often ignored the conflict victims’ perceptions of media performance regarding coverage of the conflict. This study extends previous studies by examining both media reporting and conflict victims’ viewpoints on the coverages. We used a mixed method approach, which combined a quantitative content analysis of news reports and semi-structured interviews with the conflict victims. Our results suggested that both analyses revealed consistent findings. Three key findings were obtained: low prominence, lack of objectivity, and excessive use of negative language/framing of the conflict. Theoretical implications suggested support for the assumption of Agenda Setting Theory in discussing the influence of the media on news prominence and news sources used and Social Responsibility Theory in explaining the journalists’ lack of objectivity and excessive use of negative framing when reporting the conflict. The managerial implication includes our recommendation for conflict reporting in Nigeria to embrace peace journalism.