A NARRATIVE OF JOURNALISTS’ EXPERIENCES REPORTING ETHNO-RELIGIOUS CONFLICT IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examines the experiences of journalists reporting ethno-religious conflict in Taraba state, Nigeria. Due to its ability to affect the public's understanding and perception of conflict situations, the media is a crucial participant during times of conflict. The agenda set by the media, as well as how topics are framed, can influence the direction and outcome of conflict situations. The study's focus is ethno-religious conflict, which is a major resource-use conflict in Nigeria, mostly driven by the abuse of authority and rivalry for land and properties. This study's theoretical base is the social responsibility theory and conflict theory. In this study, in-depth interview was used as the research design. Respondents were chosen using a targeted sampling technique from three media organizations in the state. The study further found that journalists go to the extent of interviewing more than one source at the conflict zone in order to obtain an objective and balance story, it also found that journalist covering conflicts are expose to different challenges and dangers like dead threats, harassment, assault gender inequalities and poor remuneration. The study concludes that if journalists are properly given all the funding, insurance, protection and security at conflict zones, their reports will be objective, balance and socially responsible at all time and meeting the ethical standard of the media organization. The study recommends among others that the following measures should be put in place; provision of security and insurance for journalists, organizing of workshops and seminars to sensitize journalists on conflict, provision of adequate funding to enhance unbiased reporting and verifying statements from multiple resources before reporting.