THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION BETWEEN THE ITSEKIRI AND IJAW, 1990-2005.
Abstract
The use of mass media in conflict resolution, particularly in ethno political conflicts, has gained increasing scholarly and policy attention in Nigeria. This abstract examines the role that mass media, primarily state-owned media like Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) and The Pointer newspaper, have played in ending the protracted Itsekiri-Ijaw conflict in the Niger Delta region. The media played a dual role: one, as a means of information dissemination and awareness creation, and two, as an intermediary which promoted peace narratives and resisted hate speech. Through airing balanced reports of the two communities' perspectives, transmitting the government's peace initiatives, and sharing the socio-economic impact of the war, the media helped to curvaceous public opinion towards reconciliation. Additionally, the mass media facilitated inter-ethnic discourse through providing room for policy-makers, civil society, and community leaders to engage positively. From the research, the media is viewed as not only a tool of communication but also a force that has an active part to play in peace-making and post-conflict reconstruction in multi-ethnic nations like Nigeria.
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