The role of mass media in crisis management a case study of Jos north L.G.A Plateau state

THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN CRISIS MANAGEMNET (A CASE STUDY OF JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE)

Abstract

The role played by media in Crisis has been an issue of discussion all over the world. Although media influence has increased tremendously in the last decade, researchers are yet to agree on the degree and magnitude of its influence in Crisis. The media are always known to set agenda for the public to follow; this they do by raising salient issues, occurrences and events as they happen in the society and bringing them to the public. The media set agenda of peace, love, unity etc. in recent times, Plateau state, especially Jos has been characterized by one form of crises or the other; this in turn leads to loss of lives and properties. This research work therefore attempts to examine the relevant role played by the media in resolving the lingering crises in Plateau state. In addition, the research work examines the way and manner the media have been used to manage the crises in Plateau state. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of media in Crisis management, with reference to the crises in Jos North Local Government Area as the case area. The specific objectives were to establish the media accessibility level and the various types of media coverage; to establish the extent to which media escalated and/or deescalated violence and to determine how media could influence selected human factors towards Crisis in the area of study. The research utilized both primary and secondary method of data generation. Instruments were adopted in gathering information for quality work. Instruments such as News-papers, internet, radio, journals and television were used to gather information about the activities carried out by the media in Crisis situations. Other methods adopted were through questionnaires and interviews. Findings show that the media have a crucial role to play in Crisis resolution. Findings further show that the media have not been giving objective reports of the Jos crises and this tends to escalate the crises. Based on the findings, the research work concludes that the extent to which the media are used to resolve crises in Plateau state is minimal and recommends, among others, that the media should be constantly used to preach peace, so as to bring about lasting peace in Plateau state.

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 

1.1                           BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The mass media are important component that play the roles of expressing the wishes, aspirations, opinions and generally, serve as the mirror for the modern society.(MacQuail, 2000:24).Lasswell and wright said, the mass media is expected to among other things undertake responsibilities that includes; surveillance of the environment, correlation of part of the society, cultural transmission, entertainment.

The rapid growth of information technology has given the media more powerful ways to control the flow of information and influence the thoughts and emotions of the society. This power makes the mass media the most important instruments of crisis management in the society, able to help reduce crisis damage encouraging high levels of preparedness and alerts(Ferrier &Haque,2003). Consequently people have come to depend, to a very large extent on the information obtained from the media to create images, from opinions and quite often for guidance in their daily endeavours. (MacQuail, 2000:24).

One of the persistent issues discussed about the media is its interest in Crisis and crisis, for among other reasons, these events are news worth. In times of crisis, information is regarded as a critical factor in escalating or reducing tension. In fact, it is often argued that abuse by the instruments of mass media in times of crisis, especially in complex and fragile societies like Nigeria could have serious consequences. This is where the moral and professional obligation of the journalists is usually tested when it comes to crisis reporting. Most of these journalists neglect their social responsibilities when it comes to crisis reporting because they see crisis as one of the major ingredients of news value. (Sankore 2001:15).

The role the media play in calming or diffusing crisis in society cannot be over emphasized. This is because the media, as agenda-setters in the society, have a vital role to perform in preventing crisis from occurring or controlling it when already started. It is because the media, especially the broadcast media, hold the key to control of people’s mind and heart. Normally what people hear over the radio or television, they take into consideration as serious as possible (Pate 2000:32)

In any crisis situation, the role of the media is so crucial. Information is regarded as a critical factor in escalating or reducing the tension. Information is not disseminated carefully about the crisis to the populace; it may portend negative consequences for the nation in question. This is because, the media based on their reports in times of crises, can set the whole nation on fire. This is where the social responsibility of the journalist needs to be tested. Thus, Sankore (2001:15) notes that:

Nothing defines the character of a media establishment more sharply than any crisis that pitches nation against nation or one section of the society against another. In times of crisis, the responsibility of the media is manifest tenfold by the society’s demand for more news, information and analysis and therefore, its increase capacity to influence debate and shape public opinion”.

The media is a neutral instrument that has the potential of being used for either good or bad. In conflict times, the media could be used to enhance peaceful coexistence, likewise destructive actions. The media is so powerful in any given society to the extent that it is called the forth realm in government. Conflict experiences have proved that the media serves as an agent of change in conflicts. No doubt conflicts have been fueled through the statements of presenters, leading to strain in relationships yet there is a good aspect of its utility that has contributed to peace building and conflict transformation. Conflicts have been transformed from negative dimensions to positive ones as the media play regular and significant roles to stop violence and introduce peace (Wilson, 2014).

It is against this background that this study intends to investigate the  role of mass media in crisis management: a case study of Jo’s north L.G.A Plateau state.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Despite the significant roles that media can play in Crisis and Crisis resolution in Plateau State, this subject has not been extensively studied by both scholars and practitioners. Nigerian media is highly robust, competitive and free compared to most African countries. This, according to libertarian theory of media reporting can hardly be exploited for selfish gain by state and individuals who strive to protect their images in the society and remain politically impartial at all times.

Therefore, media in such an environment should encourage a competitive political system that should promote democracy, peace and stability. In addition, a number of studies have been made on general causes of Crisis in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State and other parts of the country. However, these studies have hardly investigated the indirect and the invincible roles of the media in Crisis. Although attempts have been made to find supportive evidence to link media to Crisis, little has been done with relation to Nigeria and particularly in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, the area of study. Besides, the studies on how mass media influences human variables such as gender, age, social status, residence and religion have hardly been done. Therefore, the study analyzed how mass media affect these human variables which in turn determine human reaction to Crisis situations with reference to Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

 

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions were developed from specific objectives outlined above:

1. How has the media contributed or dampen violent Crisis in Plateau State?
2. What are the challenges the media faces in the dissemination of information during violent Crisis?
3. What has been the pattern of news reporting during Crisis situations?
4. What role can the media play in Crisis transformation in Plateau state?
5. What is the degree of media accessibility and the media coverage in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State?

The questions designed above gives the room for the study to come at a probable conclusion on the role the media plays in managing violent Crisis situation.

1.4 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study is primarily aimed at evaluating the role of media in crisis management. A case study of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The specific objectives are:

1. To identify how the media has contributed or dampen violent Crisis in Jos.
2. To identify the challenges, the media has faced in dissemination of information during violent Crisis.

• To identify the pattern of news reporting during Crisis situation. To identify the roles, the media plays in managing Crisis in Jos.

1. To establish the media accessibility and the various types of media coverage within

Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The importance of this study is for the mass media organizations to know the kind of messages to be reported to the public during crisis.

The research will be of benefit to the government to learning from public opinion of the respondent on strategies they need to employ in controlling or preventing crisis.

Academically, the study will form an extension of knowledge to the academic for future researchers. This will also help other researchers to further investigate to other aspect this research might not be able to cover

 

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study is structured to cover the roles/activities of the media in Jos North LGA in Plateau state and this is focused on the Crisis occurrences that have taken place (2001 crisis in particular). The study looks into the level of engagements of the media and the significant role when it comes to broadcasting information to the consuming public and how well this function has gone in curtailing Crisis and encouraging development. This study helps to weigh the performances of the media on the basis of Crisis management in Post-Crisis cases.

The study experienced some limitations in the area of gathering deep information from identified stakeholders. The researcher made the use of secondary data such as books, newspapers, magazines, journals, and the internet to enhance the ease in having information that requires efficiency in the whole research process.

1.7    DEFINITION OF TERMS

These following terms have been defined for the purpose of this study.

1. Media: Communication channels       through          which             news,

entertainment, education,data, or promotional messages are disseminated. Media includes very broadcasting and narrowcasting medium such as newspapers,

magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct mail, telephone, fax, and internet. Media is the plural of medium and can take a plural or singular verb, depending on the sense intended.

1. Crisis: Refers to some form of friction, or discord arising within a group when the beliefs or actions of one or more members of the group are either resisted or unacceptable to one or more members of another group. It is also a clash or disagreement, often violent, between two opposing groups or individuals.

• Management: Is to forecast, to plan, to organize, to command, to co-ordinate and to control. Management is the art of getting things done through and with people.

1. Role: A function or part performed especially in a particular operation or process. Is a set of connected behaviors,rights,obligations, beliefs, and norms as conceptualized by people in a social situation.
2. THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN CRISIS MANAGEMNET (A CASE STUDY OF JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE)

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