AUDIENCE PERCEPTION ON THE ROLE OF THE PRESS IN MANAGING POLITICAL CONFLICT IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

Throughout history, the media has held the responsibility of ensuring comprehensive coverage of various issues, encompassing religion, economy, politics, and more. However, in Nigeria, the public perception has emerged that the mass media is politically biased and sentimental in its dissemination of information, including matters related to politics. Consequently, this research aims to investigate the views of the Edo State audience concerning the press's role in managing political conflicts within the region. The study draws upon the social responsibility and agenda setting theories of the press as its theoretical foundation. The chosen research method is the survey approach, as it allows the researcher to observe events unfolding in society. The findings of the research reveal that the press plays a crucial role in mitigating political crises in the state by engaging in peace reporting and conducting thorough investigations into the root causes of electoral violence. It is important to emphasize that for the press to effectively fulfill this role, it must remain unbiased and non-partisan, as any political affiliations could influence its reporting on political issues. In this regard, media owners should refrain from letting their political interests sway the way they report on political crises.