Influence of Mass Media on Inter-Religious Crises and Political Socialisation in Kwara State, Nigeria

The media practice involves expertise information collation and dissemination to the public. However, citizen journalism is unbridled media interactions and dissemination of news on social media. It is devoid of expertise editorial input. The mass media as the custodian of information is the mirror of society. In view of this, media is regarded as oases of sanity and mediation during political and inter-religious turmoil. The article examines the influence of mass media on inter-religious reportage and its interface roles between religion and politics in Kwara State. Historical and discourse methodologies are used in the research. The findings of the research reveal that political socialisation of the citizenry by mass media amidst divergent religious groups is a crucial interface challenge in Kwara State. The paper concludes that sensational reportage capable of erupting inter-religious conflicts and polarization of the political constituencies on the basis of difference in religions should be censored before publications.