The Agenda Setting Concept: Exploring Press Reports about the Military and Boko Haram in Nigeria

Abstract

The agenda setting theory of the press has been dealt with on numerous occasions in scholarship about communication studies and press theories. In examining press reports about military operations against the Boko Haram group underpinned by the agenda setting theory of the press, this paper explores the realities from press expositions about occurrences in North East Nigeria. An independent press reduces the likelihood of bias in reporting while the chance of accuracy and objectivity increases. To increase the chances of this happening, the press needs more access to the conflict zone. Between the actors in any conflict, there is a symbiotic relationship, for the media to act as validators of actions ascribed to them, either as liberators/terrorists on one hand or freedom fighters/oppressor on the other hand. The military are viewed as the liberators while the Boko Haram insurgents are the terrorists while on the other paradigm, Boko Haram view themselves as freedom fighters and the Nigerian government/military as the oppressors. The agenda that redeems the media is that of accuracy with little room for bias when reporting news stories. Ensuring that as many sources from all the sides are involved before publishing is essential, otherwise, it borders on bias or even the extreme falsehood that today can be aided by technology that spreads within seconds globally.