The Nigerian Press Coverage of Political Conflicts in a Pluralistic Society

The study want to look at how effective communication is to our lives and no society can exist without the exchange of ideas, views, experiences, sharing of meaning, etc. between persons, nations, societies and cultures.

Furthermore, Democratic culture has also given the media/news media in general the privilege of setting the agenda of political discourse and other government of socio-cultural cum economic discussion. This invariably make that media powerful and influential and the question we ask is did the press coverage of political conflicts reflect any bias that could have contributed to the management of such conflicts.

It also brings us to the development of Nigeria democracy (which is our strictly focus) and politics can be associated with the press (Umechukwu, 2001; Egbon 1994). In the Nigeria first republic for instance, the late multi-billionaire, chief M.K.O. Abiola established the national concord to advance the political interest in the national party of Nigeria (NPN) (1979-1983). The paper was used to demystify the person of Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was politically anointed to win the Nigerian presidency when and if it was zoned to the south-west of the country. This was to give chance to the emergence of Chief M.K.O. Abiola as leading candidate in the election. Also the Zik group of newspapers was also established to advance the political interest of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who openly used the newspapers for his political ends. The nationalist was not left out, it used the press as an instrument of struggle during the pre-independence and military era.

Then the

In conclusion, the roles of mass media in reporting politics and ensuring political stability are;

The mass media call attention to issues of potential public concern and also provide clues to the public about the degree of important of such an issue.

The mass media survey the political events of the day and make them the focus that reaffirm those ultimate value standards and beliefs, which in turn, uphold the social and political status quo.

The mass media also promote political socialization and education.

Function as a watchdog, a crusade dog by exposing political evils and corruption in the government and political circle.