Paper long abstract:

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural country with enormous human and material resources. This plurality of beliefs, language and ethnic identities inevitably produce divisiveness and conflicts between and amongst the diverse people of the country. In recent times, the country witnessed a dramatic explosion in the incidents of violent conflicts. In particular, the prolonged conflicts that have been slowing down Nigeria’s progress and development were the recurring conflicts often expressed either in ethnic or religious identities or both. In fact, records show that some of the violent conflicts experienced in the country have occurred in urban Kano with many devastating consequences.

Accordingly, there had been several attempts at managing and controlling conflicts in the country. However, no discussion on conflicts and conflict management can ignore the role of the media. In deed, media is increasingly recognized as a veritable tool that may incite or help prevent, solve and limit conflicts. Media reports, in particular, can be used to spread conflicts or foster tolerance and reconciliation.

This paper investigates how the Nigerian print media reported ethno-religious conflicts that occurred in Kano in the period, 1991-2001 and assesses how the pattern and nature of media coverage contributed to the escalation or de-escalation of conflict situation in Kano Metropolis.