Taking Gender Dynamics into Account in Conflict Reporting in Nigeria: A Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This paper is a discourse on media coverage of conflict in Nigeria from a gender perspective. The mass media play significant role in either conflict resolution or its escalation. Through framing of news reports, the media set the agenda on conflict in ways which serve prominent or hidden interests of the various players while ignoring other actors in the conflict. The often ignored actors are mostly women and this reduces the complexities and dimensions of the conflict and by extension, causes amplification effect. Consequently, the paper advocates such media coverage that puts into consideration the gender dynamics in conflicts and the consequences for gender relations that often go unnoticed and unresolved; information provided by the media should be all inclusive and balanced, in a way that the ‘who and what’, represents the men, women and their diverse views and actions in conflict situations. Therefore, Gender Aware reporting principles become not only imperative but a journalistic creed that the contemporary journalists and editors must imbibe for a balanced representation of the experiences and roles of men and women in conflict situations and resolutions in Nigeria.

Keywords: Conflict; Gender Dynamics; Gender Aware Principles; Conflict Resolution