Role Of Media In Promoting Peace, Unity

Less than 10 months before the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Nigeria’s political atmosphere is vexly charged and energetic. The country indeed, has witnessed an array of political activities, particularly in the emergence of presidential candidates of various political parties, and other political positions not setting aside the intrigues that greeted the choice of running mates for the presidential candidates. As political permutations, schemings and interests by political gladiators, party chieftains and stakeholders intensify, analysts believe that the role of the media in ensuring the unity and peace of the country during and after 2023 general election is paramount and should not be undermined.
They also believe that inflammatory statements, inter-party/ intra-party conflicts, and propaganda by party spokespersons and loyalists, if not properly handled by the media, could hamper  the peace and stability of the country. In the past, some elections in Nigeria have recorded violence and crises leading to cancellation of election results attributable to accusations of ballot paper snatching and election rigging with the resultant destruction of lives and properties. Elections in Nigeria are high-stakes; a case of parties or winner takes it all contests. As such, politicians exploit simmering ethnic, religious and regional spaces to gain political advantage, thereby heating up the polity.
Also, in view of all the underlining threats to democracy such as terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, experts suggest an interplay between the media in Nigeria and relevant stakeholders to fashion out communication models that would assist the media, to effectively report elections in a manner that would not stoke violence. Understandably, the critical role of the media as a watchdog of the society in reporting political processes and elections as well as offering their platforms to candidates and voters to discuss electioneering issues and agenda cannot be over emphasised.
Since elections and aftermath of elections in Nigeria are fraught with or prone to serious challenges and misgivings, the role of the media, be it electronic  or print, especially the social media, in handling inciting national issues, comments, news opinions and other prejudices calls for serious concern and consideration. Therefore, to ensure that the nation remains in peace and as a united entity during and after the 2023 election, the media is  expected to abide by its role as the watchdog of the society by reporting nothing but facts guided by ethics of journalism. It is expected to be fair to all political parties and party candidates and their supporters. Avoiding overheating the polity through unguarded comments, opinions, news and commentaries should be its guiding principle.
Realising this all-important role of the media, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, harped on the need to step up the regulation of broadcast stations as the country approaches the 2023 elections. “Please note that as we move closer to the 2023 general elections, the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) will come under increasing pressure to step up its regulatory role,” he said. The minister was of the view that the clampdown on inciting messages and news would prevent a repeat of what he said transpired during and after the 2019 general elections. According to him, some television and radio stations threw caution to the wind and engaged in inciting, incendiary and unprofessional broadcasts during the said elections.
The minister noted that it was important for the NBC to ensure that broadcast stations adhered strictly to the tenets of the broadcasting code. The NBC then, under the supervision of the minister, handed out fines to some radio and television stations for contravening the country’s broadcasting code. Broadcast stations sanctioned by the NBC included Arise TV, Channels TV, AIT, and Nigeria Info. He noted that the media is often regarded as one of the pillars of democracy in any given society and that their operations cannot go without regulation or be allowed to undermine professional ethics.
Speaking on the importance of the media in the peaceful coexistence of a country, the Interim Dean of Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Rev. Fr. Walter Ihejirika, said the mass media is indispensable for the social political integration and unity of Nigeria. The Professor of developmental communication and media studies said, “the media sets the agenda for social discourse. Without the media, it will be impossible for the different regions and groups that make up the nation to have a meaningful relationship. Social media especially can help to build bridges and also create social tensions.”
In the views of a political analyst, Maxwell Omereji, “the media must professionally occupy its position as a platform for protecting the fundamental human rights of citizens through the freedom of expression and dissemination of information. “The role of the media cannot be over emphasised as they are often in the forefront of agitations for electoral reforms, reporting irregularities and malpractices that characterise elections: but they must do that in an acceptable manner.”
Omereji expressed disappointment at some media houses whom he said instead of positively fulfilling their agenda setting roles, engage in hate campaigns, hate speeches and hate comments creating much animosity among people and politicians as well as inciting the people most times against the government. He however, cautioned that over censorship or any attempt by the government to gag the media either before, during and after the election, as has been seen in recent time, might not bring about the much needed peace, unity and tranquility in the country. He advised that  media institutions  should be allowed to carry on with their reportage unhindered as long as they do so responsibly and professionally.
Ironically, most of the hate campaigns as witnessed in the 2015 general elections ran contrary to Section 95 of the Electoral Act 2010 which stipulates that a political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly or likely injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings. The Act also stipulates that abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language, insinuations or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reaction or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns; and as such should not be transmitted by the media.
In conclusion, issues given priority on the front pages of national dailies as well as topical issues discussed in both public and privately -owned television and radio stations during and after elections could influence election results to the advantage or disadvantage of any candidate and political party. Undoubtedly, the mass media in Nigeria have come of age while the use of internet (technology) in electioneering campaigns has further widened political participation among millions of Nigerians especially the youths.
It is, therefore, imperative that both the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) and Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) should be more proactive in the censorship of political campaigns by politicians and their supporters.  These agencies should, as a matter of necessity, engage aspiring candidates, the political parties and the media through training and re-orientation on democratic values. Likewise, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors and other sister bodies should ensure that their members play by the rule, avoiding acts that will tarnish the image of the profession or heighten the tension in the country.
Additionally, the leadership of political parties should ensure that there is internal party discipline that will curb their excesses and that of their party members that sponsor hate campaigns in the media.

By: Calista Ezeaku