Mitigating the Menace of Boko Haram: The Media Conundrum
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Keywords:
Media, Terrorism, Boko Haram, Nigeria, Community media
Abstract
Terrorism has become a recurrent feature in news headlines in both national and international news organisations. The Boko Haram group has become the foremost terrorist organisation in Nigeria and was labeled as the deadliest terrorist organisation by Global Terrorism Index of 2016 with over 6000 deaths to their name in 2015 alone. The United Nations recently released a report that over 5 million displaced persons by the Boko Haram conflict risk starvation and death in 2017. Their area of operation has expanded from Nigeria into Cameroon, Niger and Chad across sub-Saharan Africa and rumored to spread from Mali, Iraq and Syria with the pledge of allegiance by the Boko Haram Leader to the Islamic State (ISIS). This paper advocates that lack of viable community media organisations that provide information on rural communities may have played a part in the rise of the group. Journalists reporting conflicts are put in a complex situation where their access to conflict zones has been limited thus impacting on the quality of their reporting. The military is enjoined to provide greater access and protection for journalists covering the conflict as accuracy and objectivity are key elements in reporting and resolution of crises.
References
References
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Sahara Reporters. Retrieved from www.saharareporters.com/2017/01/14/tale-resilience-
journalists-working-under-veil-boko-haram
Ademola, D.H & Okeke, F..J. (2011) . Media coverage of crises in Nigeria: an empirical
analysis. Journal of Scientific Research. 9(7) 5-6.
Agbiboa, D. E. (2014a). The Westgate Terrorist Attack and the Transformation of Al-Shabab: A
Global Jihadist Perspective. The Davies Papers: Africa Series 3.
Aljazeera News (2016, December 27). Has Boko Haram been defeated? Questions remain after
the president of Nigeria praised the army for forcing fighters from their forest stronghold.
Retrieved from http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2016/12/boko-haram-
defeated-161227182958300.html
ARTE (2016, June 28). Boko Haram: Boko Haram Origins of evil. [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzqu964LR50
Ate, A. A. & Ikerodah, J. O. (2012). Community journalism in Nigeria: Global technological
reflections. New Media and Mass Communication, 2, 52-59.
Audu, O. (2014, April 17). Borno government officials, Principal say military lied about rescue
of abducted school girls. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng.
com/news/15 8911- borno- government-officials-principal-say-military-lied-rescue-
abducted-school-girls.html
Audu, O. (2013, May 17). Nigerian military shut GSM telecommunications in Maiduguri in hunt
for Boko Haram. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng.com/
news/13476-nigerian-military-shut-gsm-telecommunications-in-maiduguri-in-hunt-for-
boko-haram.html
Ayoola, K. A. & Olaosun, I. E. (2014). Media Representation of Boko Haram in Some Nigerian
Newspapers”, International Journal of English Linguistics, 4(3), 49-‐58
Bassiouni, M. C. (1981). Terrorism, law enforcement and the mass media: Perspectiproblems,
proposals. The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 72(1), 1-51.
BBC News (2015, December 24). Nigeria Boko Haram: Militants 'technically defeated' – Buhari.
Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35173618
Blair, E. & Lough, R. (2013). “Islamists claim Gun Attack on Nairobi Mall.” Reuters,
September 21. Available at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/21/us-
kenyaattackidUSBRE98K03V20130921
Deutsche Welle News (2016, December 24). Nigeria President claims army has defeated Boko
Haram in forest stronghold. Retrieved from http://www.dw.com/en/nigeria-president-
claims-army-has-defeated-boko-haram-in-forest-stronghold/a-36902347
Erunke, J. (2017, March 16). Boko Haram: Why troops were refusing to go to battle front –
DHQ. Vanguard newspaper. Retrieved from http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/bok
o-haram-troops-refusing-go-battle-front-dhq/
Fergusson, J. (2013). The World’s Most Dangerous Place: Inside the Outlaw State of Somalia.
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George, T. A. (2013). America’s intervention in Boko Haram”. in Albert I.O. and Eselebor W.A
(eds); ‘Managing Security in a Globalized World’, Abuja: Society for Peace Studies and
Practice.
Global Terrorism Index (2016). Measuring the impact of terrorism. Sydney, New York:The
Institute for Economics and Peace.
Hamid, A. M. & Baba, I.M. (2014). Resolving Nigeria’s ‘Boko Haram’ insurgence: What role
for the media? Social and Behavioral Sciences, 155, 14 – 20
Haruna, A. (2017, March 21). Nigerian military ignored intelligence before deadly Boko Haram
attack – SSS, Police. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng.com/
news/headlines/226774-nigerian-military-ignored-intelligence-deadly-boko-haram-
attack-sss-police.html
Ibeh, N. (2014, April 17). Nigerian military retracts claim it freed 107 abducted schoolgirls, says
students are still missing. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng
com/news/158970-nigerian-military-retracts-claim-freed-107-abducted-schoolgirls-says
-students-still-missing.html
Ibeh, N. & Audu, O. (2014, April 16). Nigerian military says it frees 107 kidnapped female
students, 8 still missing. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng.
com/news/158901-breaking-nigerian-military-says-it-frees-107-kidnapped-female-
students-8-still missing.html
Idowu, K. (2016, August 22). Breaking: Airforce kill 300 Boko Haram members. Retrieved from
http://punchng.com/breaking-air-force-kill-300-boko-haram-members-raid/
Lawrence, O.D. (2011). Nigerian media coverage of the Boko-Haram crisis. Journal of
Journalism and Crises Studies. 12(10). 90-100.
Ngwu, C., Ekwe, O. & Chiaha, C. (2015). Nigerian newspapers framing of the Chibok school
girls’ abduction (a study of The Guardian, Daily Sun, The Trust and Leadership
Newspapers). Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(8), pp.78-93
Nigerian Army (2016, August 14). Nigerian Army declares Ahmed Salkida (Ambassador), Ahmed U
Bolori and Aisha Wakil wanted. Nigerian Army Press Release. Retrieved from http://www.army.mil.
ng/nigerian-army-declares-ahmed-salkida-ambassador-ahmed-u-bolori-and-aisha-wakil-
wanted/
Nwanne, B. U. (2013). Perspectives on community media and rural development in Nigeria.
Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 1(4), 53-60.
Obi, C. (1993). Public relations practice: A case study of the Nigerian army. Lecture delivered
during a workshop at 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Enugu state, Nigeria.
Odogwu, A. (1990). Public relations practice: A case study of the Nigerian army. Thesis
submitted to the Public Relations Department , University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Ogundipe, S. (2017, January 19). Nigerian Police detain Premium Times publisher, journalist on
‘orders from above’. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng.com/
news/headlines/221029-nigerian-police-detain-premium-times-publisher-journalist-
orders.html
Okali, C.A. (2011). The Boko Haram menace and the mass media: appraising the surveillance
efforts of the media. Journal of Social Science Research. 2(1). 70-81.
Okpara, V.E. (2010). The surveillance function and the Nigerian mass media in conflict
reporting: a critical discourse. Journal of Journalism and Communication Studies. 18
(12). 21-36.
Onuoha, F. C. & George, A. G. (2015). Boko Haram’s use of female suicide bombing in Nigeria.
Al Jazeera Center for Studies, 1-9.
Tull, D. M., & Weber, A. (2015). Nigeria: Boko Haram and the regionalization of terrorism.
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, 21, 1-4.
Udoudo, A. & Bassey, B.E. (2011). Reporting political campaigns in Nigeria: A study of news
coverage of CAN rally in Uyo by the Pioneer and the Sensor Newspapers. Journal of
Communication and Media Research. 3(1), 41-54.
VOA News (2015, December 24). Buhari: Nigeria has 'technically' defeated Boko Haram.
Retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/a/buhari-nigeria-has-technically-defeated-
boko-haram/3116928.html
Winant Sidle (1984). Sidle Commission report on the media and the military. Office of Assistant
Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), Washington D.C.
Abang, M. (2017). A tale of resilience: Journalists working under the veil of Boko Haram.
Sahara Reporters. Retrieved from www.saharareporters.com/2017/01/14/tale-resilience-
journalists-working-under-veil-boko-haram
Ademola, D.H & Okeke, F..J. (2011) . Media coverage of crises in Nigeria: an empirical
analysis. Journal of Scientific Research. 9(7) 5-6.
Agbiboa, D. E. (2014a). The Westgate Terrorist Attack and the Transformation of Al-Shabab: A
Global Jihadist Perspective. The Davies Papers: Africa Series 3.
Aljazeera News (2016, December 27). Has Boko Haram been defeated? Questions remain after
the president of Nigeria praised the army for forcing fighters from their forest stronghold.
Retrieved from http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2016/12/boko-haram-
defeated-161227182958300.html
ARTE (2016, June 28). Boko Haram: Boko Haram Origins of evil. [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzqu964LR50
Ate, A. A. & Ikerodah, J. O. (2012). Community journalism in Nigeria: Global technological
reflections. New Media and Mass Communication, 2, 52-59.
Audu, O. (2014, April 17). Borno government officials, Principal say military lied about rescue
of abducted school girls. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng.
com/news/15 8911- borno- government-officials-principal-say-military-lied-rescue-
abducted-school-girls.html
Audu, O. (2013, May 17). Nigerian military shut GSM telecommunications in Maiduguri in hunt
for Boko Haram. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng.com/
news/13476-nigerian-military-shut-gsm-telecommunications-in-maiduguri-in-hunt-for-
boko-haram.html
Ayoola, K. A. & Olaosun, I. E. (2014). Media Representation of Boko Haram in Some Nigerian
Newspapers”, International Journal of English Linguistics, 4(3), 49-‐58
Bassiouni, M. C. (1981). Terrorism, law enforcement and the mass media: Perspectiproblems,
proposals. The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 72(1), 1-51.
BBC News (2015, December 24). Nigeria Boko Haram: Militants 'technically defeated' – Buhari.
Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35173618
Blair, E. & Lough, R. (2013). “Islamists claim Gun Attack on Nairobi Mall.” Reuters,
September 21. Available at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/21/us-
kenyaattackidUSBRE98K03V20130921
Deutsche Welle News (2016, December 24). Nigeria President claims army has defeated Boko
Haram in forest stronghold. Retrieved from http://www.dw.com/en/nigeria-president-
claims-army-has-defeated-boko-haram-in-forest-stronghold/a-36902347
Erunke, J. (2017, March 16). Boko Haram: Why troops were refusing to go to battle front –
DHQ. Vanguard newspaper. Retrieved from http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/bok
o-haram-troops-refusing-go-battle-front-dhq/
Fergusson, J. (2013). The World’s Most Dangerous Place: Inside the Outlaw State of Somalia.
De Capo Press;Bantam.
George, T. A. (2013). America’s intervention in Boko Haram”. in Albert I.O. and Eselebor W.A
(eds); ‘Managing Security in a Globalized World’, Abuja: Society for Peace Studies and
Practice.
Global Terrorism Index (2016). Measuring the impact of terrorism. Sydney, New York:The
Institute for Economics and Peace.
Hamid, A. M. & Baba, I.M. (2014). Resolving Nigeria’s ‘Boko Haram’ insurgence: What role
for the media? Social and Behavioral Sciences, 155, 14 – 20
Haruna, A. (2017, March 21). Nigerian military ignored intelligence before deadly Boko Haram
attack – SSS, Police. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng.com/
news/headlines/226774-nigerian-military-ignored-intelligence-deadly-boko-haram-
attack-sss-police.html
Ibeh, N. (2014, April 17). Nigerian military retracts claim it freed 107 abducted schoolgirls, says
students are still missing. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng
com/news/158970-nigerian-military-retracts-claim-freed-107-abducted-schoolgirls-says
-students-still-missing.html
Ibeh, N. & Audu, O. (2014, April 16). Nigerian military says it frees 107 kidnapped female
students, 8 still missing. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng.
com/news/158901-breaking-nigerian-military-says-it-frees-107-kidnapped-female-
students-8-still missing.html
Idowu, K. (2016, August 22). Breaking: Airforce kill 300 Boko Haram members. Retrieved from
http://punchng.com/breaking-air-force-kill-300-boko-haram-members-raid/
Lawrence, O.D. (2011). Nigerian media coverage of the Boko-Haram crisis. Journal of
Journalism and Crises Studies. 12(10). 90-100.
Ngwu, C., Ekwe, O. & Chiaha, C. (2015). Nigerian newspapers framing of the Chibok school
girls’ abduction (a study of The Guardian, Daily Sun, The Trust and Leadership
Newspapers). Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(8), pp.78-93
Nigerian Army (2016, August 14). Nigerian Army declares Ahmed Salkida (Ambassador), Ahmed U
Bolori and Aisha Wakil wanted. Nigerian Army Press Release. Retrieved from http://www.army.mil.
ng/nigerian-army-declares-ahmed-salkida-ambassador-ahmed-u-bolori-and-aisha-wakil-
wanted/
Nwanne, B. U. (2013). Perspectives on community media and rural development in Nigeria.
Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 1(4), 53-60.
Obi, C. (1993). Public relations practice: A case study of the Nigerian army. Lecture delivered
during a workshop at 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Enugu state, Nigeria.
Odogwu, A. (1990). Public relations practice: A case study of the Nigerian army. Thesis
submitted to the Public Relations Department , University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Ogundipe, S. (2017, January 19). Nigerian Police detain Premium Times publisher, journalist on
‘orders from above’. Premium Times. Retrieved from http://www.premiumtimesng.com/
news/headlines/221029-nigerian-police-detain-premium-times-publisher-journalist-
orders.html
Okali, C.A. (2011). The Boko Haram menace and the mass media: appraising the surveillance
efforts of the media. Journal of Social Science Research. 2(1). 70-81.
Okpara, V.E. (2010). The surveillance function and the Nigerian mass media in conflict
reporting: a critical discourse. Journal of Journalism and Communication Studies. 18
(12). 21-36.
Onuoha, F. C. & George, A. G. (2015). Boko Haram’s use of female suicide bombing in Nigeria.
Al Jazeera Center for Studies, 1-9.
Tull, D. M., & Weber, A. (2015). Nigeria: Boko Haram and the regionalization of terrorism.
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, 21, 1-4.
Udoudo, A. & Bassey, B.E. (2011). Reporting political campaigns in Nigeria: A study of news
coverage of CAN rally in Uyo by the Pioneer and the Sensor Newspapers. Journal of
Communication and Media Research. 3(1), 41-54.
VOA News (2015, December 24). Buhari: Nigeria has 'technically' defeated Boko Haram.
Retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/a/buhari-nigeria-has-technically-defeated-
boko-haram/3116928.html
Winant Sidle (1984). Sidle Commission report on the media and the military. Office of Assistant
Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), Washington D.C.
Published
2018-07-14
How to Cite
Ndinojuo, B.-C. E. (2018). Mitigating the Menace of Boko Haram: The Media Conundrum. Jurnal Studi Komunikasi, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.25139/jsk.v2i2.743
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