Nigeria online Broadcast Media Framing of Boko Haram Insurgency: From Peace Journalism Perspective

Conflicts and insurgencies have become a universal concern especially in the 21st century. Since 2009, Nigeria have struggled under the weight of sever attacks on the residents of Northeast region of the country as a result of the activities of an Islamic extremist sect called Boko Haram which translates to western education is sinful. The sects‘ activities have been credited with the death of about 17,000 persons and the displacement of more than 1.5 million women and children. As expected, issues bordering on the sects‘ activities dominate the news bulletin daily as the news media who thrives in reportage of oddities and casualties feast on the increasing number of audacious and gory acts of the sect with screaming headlines that does more in igniting fear and apprehension in the polity than reassuring them of possibilities of restoring peace and normalcy in the region. However, peace journalism- a brand of advocacy journalism is tasking the media who are indispensable and active actors in peace process to tow the conflict resolution path by adequately mapping the root causes of problems and offering salience on possible resolution approaches in order to checkmate the escalation and ultimately nip conflicts in the bud. Hence this study employed qualitative frames analysis in examining how Nigerian online broadcast media have framed the Boko Haram insurgency- whether it is peace or conflict oriented. A period of three months (February through April, 2014) which yielded 136 reports was examined using the Galtung peace journalism model as a guide. Findings are indicative that the Nigerian media are yet to wholesomely employ peace journalism ethics in reporting the Boko Haram insurgency as they muddle up both peace and conflict frames, though more conflict frames were observed in reports. This study is contributory to knowledge as it serves as a form of a report card that helps media houses in Nigeria to re-evaluate in needful areas. The teaching of media and conflicts reporting in colleges and universities will also find this work beneficial as well as security agency who may wish to understand the functionality of the media better in order to partner with them more appropriately in conflict situations. Keywords: Peace journalism, News framing, Boko Haram, Nigerian broadcasting media.