ASSESSMENT OF PRINT MEDIA COVERAGE OF TERRORISM AND BANDITRY

ABSTRACT

This study assessed print media coverage of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria and its implications on socioeconomic development. The objectives of the study were to find out: the effectiveness of print media coverage of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria; the potential socio-economic implications of print media coverage of terrorism and banditry; the roles of the print media in the de-escalation of terrorists/bandits’ activities and the roles of the media in shaping government’s response to terrorism and banditry in Nigeria. The study was anchored on the agenda setting theory and framing theory. The survey research design was used as the most suitable research design for this study. Population of the study comprised Benin City residents and a sample size of 400 was achieved using the Taro Yamane’s formula. Findings show that the media have been highly effective in the coverage of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria, also the impact of print media coverage of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria on the country’s tourism industry is negative. The print media have important roles to play in tackling insurgence and to serve the goal of nation development. This is because the print media are described as pivot of social interaction, seeking to use the power of print information to solve the problems of national cohesion and integration, which are both critical to the growth of healthy society. Based on the findings, this study suggests that the media should strengthen its investigative journalistic role and that the government take a proactive stance against the problems of terrorism and banditry by attempting to track the activities of these criminals in order to assist the government in putting a stop to their activities.