Extreme Violence and the Media: Challenges of Reporting Terrorism in Nigeria
0
조회
0
다운로드
0
인용
0
참고문헌
키워드
초록
Reporting terrorism or extreme violence presents a myriad of challenges and dilemmas to media professionals, information managers, and other state actors who are saddled with the responsibilities of objectively, responsibly, and accurately purveying information to ensure effective development communication in society. By the same token, insurgent or terrorist groups spread their inordinate causes, transmit their messages of radicalisation, and garner support, recognition, and legitimacy from the populace through media channels such as handbills, internet, radio, and film. The paradox, therefore, is that in their informational offerings, the media or media professionals have inadvertently become accomplices or victims/endangered species in terror acts. In spite of this, they are duty-bound to report the events regardless of the consequences on the audience(s). Indeed, it has been argued that the sensational reportage and overly dramatization of the activities of extremists groups in the media further propagates terrorist acts. This article examines media reportage of terrorism occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram terrorist sect(s) in Nigeria and the challenges media professionals are confronted with in the line of duty. Mooring itself on the agenda setting and gate-keeping theories of the media, it uses historical-analytic method to interrogate the complex relationship between the media and Boko Haram terrorists as well as the dangers posed to Nigerian media professionals and the collective security of the Nigerian state and even the neighbouring countries.
Abstract
Reporting terrorism or extreme violence presents a myriad of challenges and dilemmas to media professionals, information managers, and other state actors who are saddled with the responsibilities of objectively, responsibly, and accurately purveying information to ensure effective development communication in society. By the same token, insurgent or terrorist groups spread their inordinate causes, transmit their messages of radicalisation, and garner support, recognition, and legitimacy from the populace through media channels such as handbills, internet, radio, and film. The paradox, therefore, is that in their informational offerings, the media or media professionals have inadvertently become accomplices or victims/endangered species in terror acts. In spite of this, they are duty-bound to report the events regardless of the consequences on the audience(s). Indeed, it has been argued that the sensational reportage and overly dramatization of the activities of extremists groups in the media further propagates terrorist acts. This article examines media reportage of terrorism occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram terrorist sect(s) in Nigeria and the challenges media professionals are confronted with in the line of duty. Mooring itself on the agenda setting and gate-keeping theories of the media, it uses historical-analytic method to interrogate the complex relationship between the media and Boko Haram terrorists as well as the dangers posed to Nigerian media professionals and the collective security of the Nigerian state and even the neighbouring countries.
참고문헌 (35)
- Azeez, Adesina L, "The Role of the Media in Reporting Terrorism: A Personal Viewpoint", Journal of Communication and Media Research, 1(1), pp.1~15 (2009)
- Barnhurst, Kevin G, "Media Coverage of Terrorism: Methods of Diffusion", pp.112~137 (1991), Sage
- Blaisse, Mark, "Terrorism and the Media", pp.137~169 (1992), Sage
- Dayan, Daniel, "Media Events: The Live Broadcasting of History" (1992), Harvard UP
- Sixth EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, "European Commission", European Union, ~ (2008)
- EUTANS, "A Framework for Reporting Violent Extremism Responsibly", The Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Media Roundtable, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Collaboration with the European Union Technical Assistance to Nigeria’s Evolving Security Challenges (EUTANS), Conference Presentation (2015)
- Folarin, Babatunde, "Theories in Mass Communication: An Introductory Text" (1998), Stirling Horden Publishers
- Glupker, Gitta, "Media and Terrorism" (2013), Grin Verlag
- Hall, Stuart, "Representation: Cultural Representation and Signifying Practices" (1996), Sage
- Global Terrorism Index: Measuring and Understanding the Impact of Terrorism, "Institute for Economics and Peace", Institute for Economics and Peace, ~ (2015)
- Kisang, Abraham K, "Reporting Terrorism among Kenyan Media: Should Journalists Be Cautious?", Journal of Media and Communication Studies, 6(5), pp.78~84 (2014)
- Lewis, Jeff, "Language Wars: The Role of the Media and Culture in Global Terror and Political Violence" (2005), Pluto Press
- Liman, Mansur, "Inform, Educate, Entertain: Experiences of Reporting Extremism from the BBC Hausa Service", The Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Media Roundtable, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Collaboration with the European Union Technical Assistance to Nigeria’s Evolving Security Challenges (EUTANS) (2015)
- McCombs, Maxwell E., "The Agenda-Setting Functions of the Mass Media", Public Opinion Quarterly, 36, pp.176~187 (1970)
- McLuhan, Marshall, "Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man" (1964), McGraw Hill
- McQuail, Denis, "McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory" (2010), Sage Publishers
- Muller, E. R., "Trends in Terrorism" (2003), Kluwer
- Nacos, Brigitte L, "Terrorism, the Mass Media and the Events of 9", 11, 2002, pp.82(2), 13~19
- Okhakhu, Marcel, "Public Interest and Media Economics", Benin Mediacom Journal, 1(4), pp.93~102 (2011)
- Omoera, Osakue S., "Boko Haram as Agent Provocateur of Destabilisation and Destruction in Nigeria: The Media’s Check", Brazilian Journal of African Studies, 1(1), pp.67~84 (2016)
- Onuoha, Freedom, "From Boko Haram to Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP): Radicalisation and Recruitment in Nigeria", The Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Media Roundtable, the Office ofthe National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Collaboration with the European Union Technical Assistance to Nigeria’s Evolving Security Challenges (EUTANS) (2015)
- Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime in West Africa, "Onuoha, Freedom", Aljazeera Centre for Studies, ~ (2013)
- Osei-Opare, Nana, "Terrorism and Racism, Twin Sisters?", Ufahamu: Journal of African Studies, 39(1), pp.33~40 (2016)
- Ray, Justice G. N, "Terrorism: New Challenges and Media", The Press Academy of Andhra in Association with A.P. Union of Working Journalists and Andhra University (Journalism Department) (2009)
- Stuart N. Soroka, "The Gatekeeping Function: Distributions of Information in Media and the Real World", The Journal of Politics, 74(2), pp.514~528 (2012), University of Chicago Press[DOI]
- Udo-Udo, Joseph J, "War Reporting or Peace Reporting: A New Perspective", The Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Media Roundtable, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Collaboration with the European Union Technical Assistance to Nigeria’s Evolving Security Challenges (EUTANS) (2015)
- Uyo, Adidi O, "Mass Communication Media: Classification and Characteristics" (1987), Civiletis International
- Uyo, Adidi O, "Mass Media Messages: In a Nutshell" (1987), Civiletis International
- Wapmurk, Sharkdam, "The Nigerian Diaspora and National Development: Contributions, Challenges, and Lessons from Other Countries", Kritika Kultura, 23, pp.292~342 (2014)