ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN CRUSADE AGAINST TERRORISM

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

One of the major functions of the mass media is the provision of adequate information about ongoings or current events in the society as a way of The news media in particular serve this basic human needs by providing information on WHO? , WHAT? , WHY? , WHERE? And HOW?, Relaying to the public. It is possible to argue that there is no particular time the public is more in need of information from the media than when the safety or  even the survival of the public is threatened. In other words, the public is in greater need of more extensive information during a current danger in order to reduce uncertainty about the danger(Schlesinger, et al 1983:14) No wonder that the news media, particularly the broadcast media, become a relaying point of the public when terrorists strike.

Nevertheless, reporting on terrorism presents a number of “dilemma” and “paradoxes” to journalists whose responsibility is to inform the public “Objectively”; fairly” and “Accurately.

It is however, a dilemma to them because one of the main objectives of terrorist act is to maximize publicity in order to create a “psychological” effect on the public. This leads to some questions concerning the role of the media in reporting terrorism. For example, is the MEDIA acting as an accomplice to the aims of the terrorists by craving cheap publicity for them? Is the media not magnifying the threat and fear in the way they report terrorism instead of allaying the fear? Is the media reports of terrorism encouraging more of such acts as terrorists may be more emboldened by the massive publicity they gain for their terror and intensify the acts of terrorism in their narrative and framing of the terrorist? How best should the media report incidents of terrorist violence? These are the complex questions that this article tries to put into perspective with the aim of providing a personal view point on how the media has been reporting terrorism. The aim of this article is not to provide absolute answers to the questions because I think there are no perfect answers or consensus on the complex issue of how the media reporter should report on terrorism. Rather, it simply argues that any form of political violence that goes unreported or not reported sensationally; it also argues that the simplification of terrorist acts without recourse to historical details and motives of the terrorist by the media has not been helpful in reducing acts of terrorism. If the media go beyond the rhetoric of the official perspective and stop labeling terrorists and defining their acts as evil against good and instead provide a deeper analysis of what motives such acts carry, the media would have gone a long way to resolve the “MENACE” that has deeply taken root in the fabric of our national and international relationship.

It should be noted that the history of terrorism is as old as man dealing with humans willingness to use violence to affect politics. However, global terrorism became a prominent issue in the late 1960’s when hijacking became a favored tactic.

As the basis of my argument in this study, I first attempt to illuminate the “interdependent” nature of relationship between the media and terrorist have led to terrorism and how the people of the world have been able to benefit from the information of the media. As I discuss these issues, I will draw on pertinent theories of mass communication ranging from those that explain various effects of mass media.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Despite the recurrent attempts by the Nigerian Security Agencies to tackle kidnapping in Nigeria through the use of media campaigns in National Television Authority (AIT), Channels TV, African Independent Television (AIT) and other numerous broadcast stations, kidnappers, Boko Haramists, armed robbers, rapists, fraudsters, impersonators, embezzlers, murderers, manslaughters and prostitutes still roam the streets of Nigeria and are highly successful in what they do. According to Okpara (2010), the Nigerian media have failed to produce effective and efficient messages that would help control kidnapping and restore peace in Nigeria.

This problem pushes the mind into retrospection about the purpose and nature of these media campaigns. Does it mean that people don’t watch these campaigns and if they do, do they abide by the instructions provided in the campign as they go about their activities? Do they believe in the promises the agencies make about mobile helpline calls and immediate attention during crisis? Are the campaign promises reliable, that is, do they think the campaign motives are objective and realistic?

Additionally, how do viewers perceive the timing and packaging of these campaign messages, especially in the aspects of how rich or poor the campaigns are, in conjunction with the most suitable media for the carriage of these campaign messages.

Besides, what are the factors contributing to the ineffectiveness of these campaign messages, could it be as a result of lack of funding or poor outreach?

Are there other factors?

Moreover, what are the possible ways the publics think these campaign messages can be restructured to enable them achieve their purpose?

The answers to these questions form the major objectives of this study and it is expected that they would help to tackle this problem already identified by researchers.

1.3 Objective of the study

The following are the Objectives of this study:

1. To enlighten the public and see how the media has influence the attacks of terrorist.

2. To see if the media have a positive or negative influence on the people.

3. To see if the media are publicizing the terrorist for their own interest, that is getting the attention of more viewers.

4. To examine the cause and effect of global terrorism on the people, government and the economy.

5. To see how the media has also assisted the government in fighting global terrorism

1.4 Research question

1. What is the extent of public awareness of Mass media campaign messages?

2. What is the public attitude towards Mass media campaign messages?

3. What are the objectivity and reliability levels of Mass media campaign messages?

4. What is the content quality of Mass media campaign messages?

5. What are the factors affecting the effectiveness of Mass media campaign messages?

1.5 Significance of the study

The significance of this study is to inform the people on how to help the media in fighting terrorism by giving information to the police and other organizations that fight against terrorism.

This study also explains how the media had contributed in the fight against terrorism.

It also proffers solutions and advice to the media on how to improve in their reportage of terrorism

1.6 Scope of the study

This research work will be based on questionnaire that will be distributed among students.

This research has succeeded in asking 395 respondents about  the  ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN THE CRUSADE AGAINST’ GLOBAL TERRORISM.

NTA ikeja is our case of study and the responses of the students will be gathered after the first semester examination.

1.7 Limitation of the study

The study was limited by lack of adequate funding, time constraint and other factors.

1.8 Definition of terms

Violence

This is causing unrest in the society or any where, using great force to attack people, causing chaos etc

News:

This can be referred to as fresh information a recent happening that is worth reporting.

Terrorist

A group of people or persons that causes terror, violence, fear, nuisance, intimidation etc in a particular place.

Media:

This also can be referred to as a medium or a channel in which information is being passed to the audience, usually in mass communication.