Department of Theatre Arts and Mass Communication, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Department of Mass Communication, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Department of Mass Communication, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku
Terrorism is a global phenomenon that has led to enormous loss of lives and properties. In Nigeria, the terrorist activities of the Boko Haram sect have greatly affected the economy of the North-East and the people, and it is having a ripple effect on Nigeria as a country. The media, being the eyes through which people view the society, have been reporting these terrorist acts; are these reports in any way helping to counter terrorism? This paper, therefore, gauged the perception of newspapers` readers in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria, with the objectives to determine if the reportage has helped the government to defeat Boko Haram, to inquire if respondents perceived newspapers to be involved in counter-terrorism with their reportage, and maybe it has helped to create awareness and educate the populace about terrorism. This paper, anchored on the Social Responsibility Theory, adopted the survey method of research. The study found that the Boko Haram sect still carries out attacks, and that government is yet to completely defeat the sect. The study concluded that newspapers have significant role to play in counter terrorism, and recommended that newspapers should be more cautious in reporting terrorism stories so that the reports won`t be cheap publicity for the terrorists. It further recommended that government and the armed forces should work in synergy with newspapers in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents.
Boko Haram, Insurgency, Media, Newspaper, Reportage, Terrorism.
