Media and Religious Crisis in Nigeria: Any Consonance?

Abstract

The media is generally recognised as a potent instrument of information, education and moulding of public opinion. Many experts including Richard Keeble (2006) and McQual (2005) agreed that one of the most awesome challenges or our time is the increased power and pervasiveness of the media. Globally there is growing concern about media behaviour and journalism practice. An expert also posited that the mass media constitute one of the principal locations for religious propagation and (self-) preservation of religious groups. An examination of the role of the media to affirm or negate this proposition in Nigeria is important. That Nigerians are religious is a product of age long attachment to the concept of Godliness which should be a moderating influence on the tendency of man in extreme personal or religious aggrandisement that may put peace and peaceful coexistence among peoples of all races and religious faiths at jeopardy. Godliness is epitomised by individuals or groups in two ways: it is either dovish or bullish. When religious propagation becomes bullish, it can become a source of communal tension, conflict and crises of unimaginable proportions. The behaviour of the media is therefore central in the promotion of inter-religious peace or conflict. The paper therefore examined the role of the media in the promotion or aggravation of socio-religious peace and harmony in the country. This paper adopted the historical and institutional approaches to create a clear understanding on how the media have performed and suggests the way for better media performance in this regard.

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