SITUATING THE CNN EFFECT IN NIGERIAN CONTEXT: ANALYSING IMPACT ON DIPLOMACY AND LOCAL TELEVISION

Abstract

Scholars believe that the global media of television influence foreign policy-making through a presentation of compelling images of events happening. It is termed the CNN effect or factor. However, the extent of this effect is not yet determined especially on Nigeria foreign policy and local television. The CNN Effect stands on the agenda-setting theory. The factor implies that the global television goes further to tell policymakers what it should think, what to think about, how to think about what they think, and what to do with what they think and think about. This study is carried out through analysis of secondary data and observation of global and local televisions. Beside already observed effects of global television on foreign policymaking such as making decisions in haste without proper considerations and sideling of diplomatic protocols, the study found some side effects of the influence of global media; one of which is that global television force policymakers to be unduly attached to them (global television). The greater revelation from the CNN effect is not on Nigeria’s foreign policy but on local television industry where the local television loses audience, credibility and revenue to global television. The study recommends better funding and training for local television.