Role of the Media in Raising Awareness About Electoral Violence in Nigeria (a Case Study of 2023 Presidential Election)

ABSTRACT


The study examine the role of the media in raising awareness about electoral violence in Nigeria (a case study of 2023 presidential election). Electronic media which is also called broadcast media includes the radio and television stations. Electronic media reaches a wider audience than the printed media or the traditional media. On the other hand, digital media provides platform for online news publication, websites for political and other social and economic discourse. It allows for connection and discussion at levels that print does not offers on its own. The study raised two pertinent research questions: How has the electronic media raised awareness about electoral violence in Nigeria?
How has the digital/social media raised awareness about electoral violence in Nigeria?
It was anchored on the cultivation theory propounded in 1971 by Dr. George C. The study employed the use of secondary data for the investigation. Content analysis was used for Data analysis. Findings of the study revealed that electronic media made considerable efforts to create awareness about electoral violence during the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. Also, Digital/social media played their role in creating awareness on electoral violence before, during and after the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. Therefore, the study concluded that the media played role in raising awareness about electoral violence in Nigeria. Recommendations were that: Electronic media should endeavor to balance their news reports and analysis. Since they remain the mainstream media in Nigeria, giving all candidates equal chances would greatly advance democracy in Nigeria. Mass media should endeavor to call politicians and political parties to declare openly their commitment to violent free elections so as to make electorates to make appropriate electoral decisions. Digital media platform should avert contents capable of distorting or heating up polity especially in a democratic system and improve on the quality of News dissemination in a way to sustain the nation’s nascent democracy.