Media and Hate Speech: Analyses of Stories on Herders/Farmers Clashes in Select Nigerian Newspapers

Abstract

This paper analyses media reports on the conflict between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Benue State, North Central Nigeria. The researchers content-analysed select newspapers (Vanguard, Premium Times, The Sun, Punch and Today newspaper) to find out whether the media indeed propagate hate messages or they exercise professionalism by moderating disseminated messages for the good of society. The paper focused on reports emanating from statements by Miyetti Allah, seen as the aggressor in the conflict. Utilising the critical discourse analysis and anchored on social responsibility theory, the paper found that stories carried by the select newspapers contained hate speech, reflected in such thematic categories like: use of derogatory image, inciting comments, stigmatisation and insult, falsehood, target of prejudice, outrageous and offensive statements, Us vs Them dichotomy and statements that create tension. The researchers conclude that the media have failed in their obligation of exerting moderating influence on
reports. It was recommended, among others that the media should exert moderating influence through gate keeping on all information received so as to weed out hate and other insidious contents.