CONFLICT-SENSITIVE JOURNALISM AND THE NIGERIAN PRINT MEDIA COVERAGE OF JOS CRISIS, 2010-2011. BY JIDE PETER JIMOH Matric No. 130129 B.SC, M.SC MASS COMMUNICATION (UNILAG), M.A. PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES (IBADAN) A thesis in Peace and Conflict Studies submitted to the Institute of African Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY of the UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARYMarch 2015 ABSTRACT The recent upsurge of crises in parts of Northern Nigeria has generated concerns in literature with specific reference to the role of the media in fuelling crises in the region. Previous studies on the Nigerian print media coverage of the Jos crisis focused on the obsolescent peace journalism perspective, which emphasises the suppression of conflict stories, to the neglect of the UNESCO Conflict-sensitive Journalism (CSJ) principles. These principles stress sensitivity in the use of language, coverage of peace initiatives, gender and other sensitivities, and the use of conflict analysis tools in reportage. This study, therefore, examined the extent to which the Nigerian print media conformed to these principles in the coverage of the Jos violent crisis between 2010 and 2011. The study adopted the descriptive research design and was guided by the theories of social responsibility, framing and hegemony. Content analysis of newspapers was combined with In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with 10 Jos-based journalists who covered the crisis. Four newspapers – The Guardian, The Punch, Daily Trust and National Standard were purposively selected over a period of two years (2010-2011) of the crisis. A content analysis coding schedule was developed to gather data from The Guardian (145 editions with 46 stories), The Punch (148 editions with 85 stories), Daily Trust (148 editions with 223 stories) and National Standard (132 editions with 187 stories) totalling 573 editions which yielded 541 stories for the analysis. Four forms of language use: inflammatory, conciliatory, moderate, and sensational were identified. Items in the newspapers that contained inflammatory language were 32.2%; while 30.5% were conciliatory; moderate had 26.0% and 11.3%.were sensational. The high percentage of inflammatory and sensational language at 43.2% is capable of escalating the Jos crisis. Only 29.6% of the items focused on peace initiatives. The items that focused on crisis were 70.1% while other themes had 0.4% showing the predilection of the newspapers to be transfixed on the scene of violence without seeking solutions. The items lacked gender-sensitivity featuring 88.0% male and 5.9% female speakers while 6.1% were either from institutional or unidentified sources. The absence of gender-sensitivity confirms previous studies on the relegation of the usually conciliatory female voices in conflict situations. The privately-owned Daily Trust blamed the indigenes; the Plateau State Government owned National Standard blamed the Hausa/Fulani settlers for the crisis in an unconcealed pander to proprietorial interests while The Guardian and The Punch refrained from apportioning blames. The IDIs did not show the use of conflict analysis tools by any of the newspapers although journalists claimed awareness of the UNESCO initiative. Journalists list poor remuneration, personal insecurity, and lack of insurance cover as challengesUNIVERSITY hampering their optimum OF performance. IBADAN LIBRARY The predominant use of inflammatory language, scant focus on peace initiatives, gender insensitivity and failure to use conflict analysis tools contributed to the cycle of reprisal attacks characterising the Jos crisis of 2010 and 2011. The adoption and domestication of the UNESCO principles on conflict-sensitive reporting by training institutions and a consistent on-the-job training programme will ameliorate the deficits identified. 1 Key words: Jos crisis, Conflict-sensitive journalism, Nigerian print media Word count: 497 UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY 2 CERTIFICATION I certify that this research work was carried out by Jide Peter, JIMOH of the Peace and Conflict Studies Programme, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria under my supervision. ………………………………… ……….…………….. Supervisor Date Dr. O. OLORUNYOMI Senior Research Fellow Institute of Africa Studies University of Ibadan Ibadan. UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY 3 DEDICATION To the memory of my parents Pa Michael Aiyesebe Jimoh and Madam Victoria Oni Jimoh (who passed on during the course of this programme). The Lord who saw your struggles to make us great will reward you with his kingdom in paradise UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I acknowledge the grace of Almighty God, the author of the script of life for guiding me through this work. He is, indeed, the omnipotent. It pleased Him to also use some people as instruments to fulfil this dream. One of whom is my cerebral supervisor Dr. Sola Olorunyomi who I cannot thank enough for his mentorship. Great thanks also to the entire staff of the Institute of African studies under the leadership of first, Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert and later, Prof. Dele Olayiwola both of whom showed interest in the progress of my work. Thanks also to the academic staff with whom I bandied ideas before committing them to writing: Drs. Sola Isola, Nathaniel Danjibo, Willie Eselebor, Stephen Faleti, Senayon Olaoluwa, Jimoh and Professor Olaseinde- Williams, among others. Thanks to the management of IFRA, the French research institute for providing a comfortable ambience in their library. I specially acknowledge the support of the Social Science Research Council, Brooklyn, USA for a generous grant for the conduct of the fieldwork for this study. The grant was sequel to my winning the competitive Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Fellowship (2012-2013). The subsequent workshops outside the country and travel grant for paper presentations contributed immensely to the completion of this thesis. My sincere thanks go to the Correspondents‟ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Jos for their cooperation. Special thanks to Onimisi Alao of The Daily Trust who facilitated the interview sessions after being introduced to him by my friend and classmate at UNILAG Alhaji Aliu M. Akoshile General Manager, Business and Strategy of The Daily Trust. Thanks also to another classmate in Saint Augustines‟College, Kabba (SACK) and now Managing Director/Chief Operating Officer, Media Trust Limited, Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola. The cooperation of the Library Staff of Daily Trust in Abuja is also acknowledged. Jidauna Yanung of The National Standard Abuja office was of great help in havingUNIVERSITY access to editions of the newspaper OF in IBADANmy sample. LIBRARY Then, my friends and colleagues – Tunde Akanni, Philip Olayoku, Tare Dadiowei, Chris Obudu, Popoola Muyiwa and many others too numerous to mention. There were also my brothers from another womb who took interest and supported me generously – Hon. 5 Kola Ologbondiyan, Tai and Kehinde Ejibunu, Hon Ade Olamife, Simon Ehoniyotan and Joseph Ete. Special thanks to the GOC 2 Div Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. E.F. Abejirin who took care of me in the true spirit of caring for a younger brother. I will forever remain grateful. Sir Johnson Jimoh, Alhaji Zakari Ejibunu, Mr. Augustine Arokoyo, thanks for your support. My brothers and sisters – Pastor and Mrs. Jerome Jimoh, Mr and Mrs. Ishola, Mr/Mrs. Tunji Jimoh, Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) John Larayetan and Mr. Kayode Jimoh, I thank you for your prayers and good wishes. How do I thank my wife for being there at all times? Helen, my jewel of inestimable value kept the home front through thick and thin. This programme would not have been possible without your unflinching support. We shall enjoy the fruit together till old age in good health and happiness. I thank my children, Timi and Toyosi, for bearing the times of absence and constantly asking the question: when are they going to give you this PhD? Here it is, children! May you grow old and be shining examples of beautiful, successful and virtuous children (Amen). UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Title page ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... i Abstract … … … … … … … … … ii Certification ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... iii Dedication ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... iv Acknowledgement ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... v Table of Contents ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... vii List of Tables ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ix List of Figures ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... x CHAPTER ONE: Introduction 1.1 Background to the study... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study ... ... ... ... ... 13 1.4 Research Questions ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 1.5 Theoretical Framework ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 1.6 Significance of Study ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 18 1.7 Scope of the study ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 1.8 Limitation of the Study ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 1.9 Operational Definition of Terms ... ... ... ... ... 21 CHAPTER TWO 2.0 Introduction ... ... ... ... ... ... ... … 23 2.1 Media and Conflict Reporting ... ... ... ... ... 23 2.2 Objectivity and subjectivity in Reporting ... ... ... ... 28 2.3 Media ownership and Control ... ... ... ... ... ... 30 2.4 UNIVERSITYThe concept of Peace Journalism OF ...IBADAN ... ... LIBRARY... ... 35 2.5 Conflict-Sensitive Journalism ... ... ... ... ... 39 2.6 Conflict-sensitivity in Development Planning ... ... ... 43 2.7 Conflict-sensitivity in