Assessment of African Conflict Resolution Strategies in Newspapers Framing of Farmer-Herder Conflict in Nigeria

Authors

  • Wonuola, Monsurat M Al-Hikamh University, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • Adisa, Rasaq M University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Keywords:

African Conflict Resolution Strategies, , Newspapers Framing, Farmer-Herder Conflict, Peace, violence

Abstract

The alleged sensational and bias coverage of news and views on conflict-related issues, especially farmer-herder conflict among the Nigerian newspapers has undermined the constructive contributions of newspapers’ role in conflict. This has prompted scholars to advocate the adoption of African conflict sensitive instrument in reportage of conflict that affects socio-economic issues. Literature has examined farmer-herder conflict and mass media. There is a dearth of study on African conflict sensitive instrument and conflict reportage. In an attempt to fill the gap, this study assesses the adoption of African Conflict Resolution Strategies in framing Farmer-Herder conflict in The Punch,The Guardian and Daily Trust newspapers published between January 1, and December 31, 2018.The study was underpinned by Structural-functional theory. Quantitative content analysis served as the research method while coding sheet was used to gather data from 468 editions systematically selected from the newspapers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that the newspapers’ reportage tilted towards violence as more of assertiveness/ violence-induced strategy of Thomas Kilmann African Conflict sensitive instrument was predominantly used to frame the conflict.The study therefore, recommended that the Nigerian mass media organisations especially, the newspapers should strive to adopt peace-induced/cooperativeness strategy as against the prevailing violent-induced/assertiveness strategy in reportage of conflict that involves various tribes and religions. This can go a long way in de-escalating the resultant conflict situations and accompanying violence; thereby, promoting the achievement of peace and unity in the nation.

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Author Biographies

  • Wonuola, Monsurat M, Al-Hikamh University, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Department of Mass Communication

  • Adisa, Rasaq M, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

    Department of Mass Communication

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Published

2024-12-31