Boko Haram Assault on Nigeria: Towards Effective Mass Media Response

Abstract

The Islamic sect, Boko Haram has waged a relentless war of attrition on Nigeria since 2009. The sect has attacked mostly government’s establishments, security operatives, places of worships, markets and lately, the mass media. These assaults have accounted for countless deaths and injuries to Nigerians and destruction of property worth millions. Many have expressed concern that the attacks if not decisively checked could spell grave danger to stability of the country, worsen security of lives and properties as well as freedom of speech and other related freedoms. The mass media, given their power and influence could play very significant role in winning the war against the Boko Haram insurgency. This paper critically examines the whole situation: the Boko Haram sect and its attacks; the assault on media houses, government’s response, mass media and objectivity, the media and terrorism and makes recommendations on how the mass media could be effectively deployed in the effort to stop the sect.