Re-Engineering language in media practice: A panacea for conflict Resolution in Niger delta

Abstract

This paper is aimed at re-engineering language in media practice as a panacea for conflict resolution in the Niger Delta The motivation behind this paper is predicated upon the evaluation of language use in mass media in packaging and reporting conflict situations in Nigeria especially in the Niger Delta. Language as it were, has been used and misused at various times and at different situations in Nigeria Thus, blowing mere misunderstanding and misconception of issues out of proportion for personal aggrandizement by media practitioners. Similarly, trivial issues have been ballooned into major problems of public interest through language mannerism used in media production leading to public disorder and criminal conflicts as witnessed in the Niger Delta region. This is highly propelled by journalists. Journalists are saddled by Constitution of Nigeria (Sections 22 and 39 of 1999), the responsibilities of covering and reporting societal events including conflict issues in our society. Recent research and observations have shown that journalists report conflict situation in Nigeria in a manner that jettison the social responsibility theory of the press. The theory holds that the media should carry out their role in society with concomitant social responsibility to the society and not contribute to what constitute public disorder or heighten societal conflict. This theory of course, calls for self-restraint of media practitioners in reporting societal events to avoid misnomer of language use in media industry. The failure of media practitioners to adhere to the tenent of social responsibility theory which advocates for diplomatic language in reporting crisis situation has brought real problem in our contemporary society. It is against this background, that this paper is determined to recommend mechanisms for conflict resolution using language as a potent tool nay the mass media.