Media Narratives and Ethical Issues in Reporting Insecurity in Nigeria: A Systematic Literature Review
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Abstract
Nigeria’s media have been criticised for ethical lapses in reporting insecurity, which often amplify fear, social polarisation, and public misunderstanding. This study examines the prevalence and nature of ethical issues in conventional Nigerian media reportage of Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency, farmer–herder conflicts, banditry, and kidnapping. The study adopted a systematic literature review approach, with 23 studies published between 2017 and 2025 carefully selected from a pool of 205 accessed via Google Scholar. Findings reveal recurring ethical concerns, including episodic reporting, sensationalism, source imbalance, stereotyping, political economy pressures, and the marginalisation of peace- and solutions-oriented journalism. Media narratives frequently prioritise immediacy and elite perspectives while neglecting contextual analysis, victims’ voices, and constructive conflict resolution. The study concludes that ethical shortcomings in insecurity reporting reflect systemic structural pressures as much as individual journalistic practices. By documenting these patterns, it contributes to understanding how media shape public perception and societal tensions. Implications include the need for regulatory frameworks that reinforce ethical standards, capacity-building for journalists, and the promotion of peace- and solutions-focused reporting to enhance the media’s role in mitigating insecurity and supporting national stability.
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