Influence of media in the management of electoral violence: An analysis of 2023 general elections in Bauchi metropolis - Nigeria

Abstract

Electoral violence is one of the major challenges affecting peaceful coexistence across the globe. Since the independence, Nigeria has been witnessing the series of electoral violence in each election conducted in the country. In Bauchi metropolis in particular, since the rebirth of the democratic dispensation the town was experiencing high level of electoral violence to the extent of killing, wounding and displacement of properties. This study investigated the media function in the management of electoral violence in Bauchi metropolis. A survey research design was employed while stratified sampling technique was used to selecting 5 wards using simple random sampling technique in selecting respondents. The research instrument used for data collection in this study was a questionnaire designed. The reliability test was acceptable with 0.72. using frequency distribution tables, the study equally used inferential statistics of Chi-square tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study finding reveals that media organizations played a vital role in terms of media sensitization, the autonomy of the media houses, media regulation, and professionalism of the media houses addressed the electoral violence in the Bauchi metropolis. The study concludes that adherence to media regulation, autonomy, and high professionalism of the journalists manage the occurrences of electoral violence in the state. The study recommended that the media regulation should continue adherence all the time, the government should continue guarantee the media autonomy and lastly, the media houses should organize workshops to their respected staff to avoid reporting any news that will bring tension during election.