Insecurity, peace journalism and national development: Perspectives of herdsmen-farmers' conflict in two Nigerian states

Abstract

This article examined media's perspective on insecurity in Nigeria against the background of herdsmen and farmers conflict in Benue, State, North-central and Enugu States, Southeast Nigeria. With existing literature focusing more on causes and historical antecedents of the conflicts, the paper aggregates Peace Journalism as well as national development imperatives as key factors in resolving the conflicts. The study examined the newspapers' reporting and coverage of the conflict to highlight how and what issues are portrayed for public understanding. Adopting Content analysis, four national newspapers and two community newspapers were analysed. Findings show that of the 159 stories carried by the selected newspapers during the period studied, reports focused themes on the public condemnation/protests and government/public intervention while Peace Journalism and the economic/social implications of the conflicts received minimal attention. It further shows that correspondents and herdsmen agents were the major sources of information while a third of the reports were given prominence in the front page, back page or centre-spread. The study recommends that journalists should endeavour to be conflict-sensitive in their reports and draw attention to the economic implications of the conflict in addition to sourcing for reliable and balanced information on the conflict.