Chronology of Electoral Violence in Nigeria from 1960-2015

Abstract

Journalism as the fourth estate of the realm in the society plays crucial roles in the development of a nation through its numerous functions of information dissemination, education, entertainment and enlightenment of the masses on issues, events and trends within the environment. This unique impact of journalism encompasses all strata of the society such as economic, political, social and cultural systems. To this end, this study investigates press coverage of electoral violence in Nigeria during electioneering process vis-à-vis press role in forestalling negative conducts such as rigging, manipulations and electoral or political violence considered to be a norm in most African countries. The study adopts the Punch and the Nation newspapers as the sole press going by their active participation before, during and after the election in 2012. Going further, the study employs the instrument of Social Responsibility Theory of the Press.

Keywords: Election, Democracy, Bribery, Corruption, Government, Policies, Reform, Violence, Journalism and Security

DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/12-7-03

Publication date:October 31^st 2022