Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze
the Role of Mass Media in Conflict Resolution. (A study of Ìfẹ-Modakeke Crisis).To
achieve this aim, the survey research method was used. Subjects were drawn from
the audience of Ìfẹ-Modakeke Crisis, using simple random sampling technique and
purposive sampling technique. Four research questions guided the study.
Research findings showed that Mass Media has contributed greatly to conflict
resolution through the programmes they aired. The research also found out that
there is a high level of the state government interference in OSBC affairs. To
this end, the researcher recommended that the level of interference of the
state government in the affairs of OSBC should be at minimum to ensure
efficiency in their discharge of duties. The researcher suggested that further
studies should be carried out on the impact of OSBC in sustainable programmes
on conflict resolution. Programmes that aid conflict resolution should be
appropriately sponsored to make for continuity.
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Human
beings as social animals have always been embroiled in temporary and
continuous
disputes and fracas collectively called conflicts since time immemorial. This
come in the form of individuals against individuals, families against families,
kingdoms against kingdoms, and more contemporary, countries against countries.
Boulding, K. (1989).
According to Pruitt
and Robbins, (2002). Conflict can be defined as “The perceiveddivergence of
interest, or a belief that the party‟s current aspirations cannot be achieved
simultaneously from gradual interactions between the parties. They are
ultimately a direct result of the given relationships and interactions between
species, will in one way or another breed friction and discontent thereby,
giving rise to perceived injustice and the attendant frictions and agitations.
Bercovitch, J. (2002).
However,the need to be recognized as a member
of a unit is such a functional social factor, that any attempt or perceived
attempt to undo or ridicule the natural statutes, breeds divergent and friction
thereby gradually heating up the system to a toxic edge. Wilson,K.(1988).
Thus,
minimizing this friction has become imperative as it has seldom proved
impossible to eliminate. This redemption notion has given birth to the theory
of “ConflictResolution‟‟ a brain child of the need for stakeholders to work out
a route of any conflict.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict
resolution is generally conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in
facilitating the peaceful resolution or ending of conflict.
Avruch,K.(1990).
Often, committed group of members attempt to resolve group conflicts
by actively communicatingInformation about their conflictingmotives or
ideologies to the rest of the group. By thismeans, they tender their intentions
and reasonsfor certain beliefs, engaging in collective negotiationsthat are
intended to end the conflict or crisis.
The
term “conflict resolution” may also be used interchangeably with dispute
resolution, where arbitration and litigation processes are critically
involved.Burton,J.(2002). In Nigeria ,and especially Ìfẹ-Modakeke Crisis to be
precise, conflicts which have had menacing effects on the life the people ,
especially conflicting communities or parties ,have always been resolved by the
direct intervention of government.
The government intervention comes in the form
of direct deployment of military and paramilitary personnel‟s in war-prone
conflicting areas, negotiations committees that reach out to the elders(stakeholders) of the
conflicting parties or by the use of media, through anti-conflict propaganda
messages.Dentsch,M. (1983).
History of Conflicts
Axelrod,
Robert. (1984). Observed that;
Competition
among and between species,for food, habitats, mates,and general Survival are
functionally implicit in theProcess of evolution, and hence, intrinsic to their
existence as living things,Prone to social and community friction.
This clearly
reflects the functional imperativeness of conflicts as a social feature of any
group where interactions exist. The history of conflicts therefore, is as old
as man himself.
Biblically,
conflict arose in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God‟s“supreme
injunction” not to eat of the fruit in the middle of the garden.(The forbidden
fruit)”. His disobedience was recorded to have ensued a brawl between him, his
wife (Eve) and God, the creator, prompting the later to met punitive measures
on the disobedient pair.
Subsequently,
civilized conflicts and wars can be historically traced to the Paleolithic and
Neolithic era. Bronoski, R.(1978).Reflects that, “Early conflicts of
the Neolithic era, emanated
spontaneously from a contest to control the surpluses and resources
discovered by man in that era.”
Conflict of old as
much as those of contemporary era had stemmed also from the selfish divergence
of views, in the form of political ideologies, religious differences and ethnic
and social factors.
Documented conflicts can also be traced from
the Punic wars to the Greco-Persian conflicts, to the Barbarian invasions of
the Romans, to the Crusaders of the Arab world, the Northern wars, the French
wars, the Nazi wars, the Isreali-Palestine conflict, the independence and
insurgency wars, and most recently terrorist conflicts. Boulding,Kenneth.
(1962).
In Nigeria, conflicts most notably can be
traced back to the post -colonial era, with the Biafra civil war, the most
prominent example. There have been several conflicts in religions relating to
certain agitations by seemingly aggrieved parties.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The prevalence of conflict in the world and
particularly in the African Sub-region has been a major source of concern to
individuals, families and the society at large. People have become apprehensive
about the negative consequences of conflict, due to the way and manner it
erupts in our society.
However, the media have also been noted for
its dysfunctional roles in the society. Since the media seek to mould the
opinion of users, it is logical that their negative roles would have negative
effects on society. Although the media to a large extent indeed play biggest
role of ensuring that conflicts or any particular conflict receives wide public
attention.
The question this
research work seeks to answer therefore is,what role does Mass Media play in
Conflict Resolution in Ìfẹ-Modakeke Crisis?
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.
To determine the reach of
audience base of Ìfẹ-Modakeke Crisis to OSBC.
2.
To know the meaning and concept
of conflict resolution.
3.
To find out the level of
interference of the state government in OSBC affairs.
4.
To determine the contributions
of OSBC toconflict resolution in Ìfẹ-Modakeke Crisis.
1.4 Research Questions
1. What is the reach of audience base of Ìfẹ-Modakeke Crisis to OSBC?
2. What is the meaning of the concept of conflict resolution?
3. To what extent does the state government interfere in OSBC affairs?
4. How has OSBC contributed to conflict resolution in Ìfẹ-Modakeke
Crisis?
1.5 Scope of the Study
The
essence of this research work is to primarily study The Role of Mass Media in
Conflict Resolution. A study of Ìfẹ-Modakeke Crisis. The study intended to focus on conflict resolution in Ìfẹ-Modakeke
Crisis local government area for easy analysis of data. This will reduce cost
and avoid complexity which may arise due to a very large population.
However, the findings of the study will be
based on the indigents of Ìfẹ-Modakeke Crisis, since they all have similar
characteristics.
1.6 Significance of the Study
Studies on conflict and conflict resolution
matters are of paramount importance to everyone,the conflicting parties, the
government, non-waring parties etc. This study formed a documented framework
exposing the ills and dangers of scourage and recommending ways to avert or
sustain such occurrences in the future.
1.7 Operational Definition of
Significant Terms
Conflict: Refers to
disagreement or discontent between two parties usually due to perceived
disadvantage by one of the parties. Conflict can be in form of disputes or
crisis or extremely, war.
Propaganda: It is a
message designed to persuade the intended audience to think and behave in a
certain manner, preferably as planned by the broadcaster of the message.
Hydra-Headed: This
refers to the complexity of an issue. That is, issues that assume multidimensional
twist are said to be hydra-headed.
Reportage:This refers to the
texture of what is being broadcast.