EXAMINING IJAW YOUTHS' VIEWS ON MEDIA REPORTING OF THE NIGER DELTA CRISIS

The media play a central role in reporting the activities of the Nigerian government and events related to the Ijaw youth insurgency during the Niger Delta conflict. This study assessed the perceptions of Ijaw youth regarding newspaper reportage of the conflict during its peak intensity (2006–2007). Using a clustered sampling approach, 293 questionnaires were administered to respondents in Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta States. Findings revealed that 73.4% of respondents closely followed the Niger Delta struggle and had adequate access to print media. However, 95.2% perceived media content as biased and inconsistent, and 80.5% were dissatisfied, believing the media misrepresented events. Factors identified include poor use of concise language, propaganda, and untimely reporting