IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

RESEARCH JOURNAL OF MASS COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (RJMCIT )

E-ISSN 2545-529X
P-ISSN 2695-2475
VOL. 10 NO. 4 2024
DOI: 10.56201/rjmcit.v10.no4.2024.pg91.108

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The Media and Communal Crisis in Nigeria: A Study of Selected Radio Stations in Cross River State (2006 -2024)

Onukak, Wisdom Okon, Ogunleye, Iyanuoluwa Abiola and Butum, Grace Allan

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Abstract

The study focused on the media and communal crisis in Nigeria with emphasis on selected radio stations in Cross River State. Its major objectives were to determine the various causes of communal crises in Cross River State in particular and Nigeria in general, to determine the role of the radio in the information management of communal crises in Cross River State, to identify the challenges faced by the radio as an agent of effective communal crises management in Cross River State. The agenda-setting theory of the mass media was adopted to set the theoretical framework of the study. Sample size of 58 respondents was randomly selected from HIT FM and Correct FM, Calabar. Data gathered were analyzed using the simple percentage (%) formula. The study found that the major causes of communal conflicts includes struggle for farmlands, landmark, boundaries, etc. However, the radio has a role to play in the resolution of the conflict through the organization of live talk shows, and other programs. The study also found that the media in the management of information during communal crisis is challenged by factors such as the inability to access some of the conflict-torn areas for the collation of relevant information, as well as the refusal of reliable sources to divulge relevant information. The study recommended that radio stations should leverage on social media platforms to enhance their role in conflict management.

keywords:

Communal crisis; Media; Conflict

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