Perception of Mainstream Media Representation of Insecurity Issues in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

The challenge of insecurity in South-Eastern Nigeria in recent times has become a significant concern. The mainstream media in Nigeria are awash with numerous reports on the issues of insecurity in the region. This study investigated how residents of South-East Nigeria perceive the mainstream media representation of insecurity issues. A qualitative research design was employed, specifically, Focus Group Discussions. A total of 40 participants were purposively sampled for the FGD, comprising both males and females aged 30 to 50. A total of five FGD sessions were conducted in the five South-Eastern States of Nigeria (one in each State). Each FGD session comprised 8 participants. The participants were those resident in the South-Eastern States of Nigeria with access to mainstream media channels. Framing and social responsibility theories provided the background to this study. The FGD question guide was used as the data collection instrument for this study. The study found a high level of audience exposure to mainstream media reports on insecurity issues in the South-East. The predominant mainstream media channels for sourcing information on issues of insecurity in the region are some media organizations owned by individuals, which are considered more reliable. The study also found perceptions of media exaggeration or underreporting of the insecurity issues in the South-East, ethnic bias, and government use of the media to portray the region in a bad light for political interests, resulting in a public perception of distrust in the media. The findings of this study will be significant for policymakers, media stakeholders and researchers to deepen the conversation around media and insecurity. The study recommends that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) should ensure strict adherence to the principles of social responsibility theory when reporting insecurity issues in the South-East and Nigeria at large.