Mass Media And The 2023 Presidential Election In Nigeria
Abdulrahman Abubakar
Keywords: Election, mass media, media coverage, political communication
Abstract
In 2023, Nigeria conducted its seventh presidential election in the Fourth Republic. This election was a significant event in the country’s democratic history, showcasing citizens’ active participation in the electoral process. However, the election was marked by controversies and widespread discontent, with allegations of irregularities, voter suppression, and electoral malpractices. Concerns were raised about the objectivity and impartiality of media outlets, with accusations of biased reporting and the spread of misinformation. Despite these issues, the role of the mass media in the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria is yet to be fully explored. Consequently, this paper examines the mass media and the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, relying on qualitative methods and using framing theory as its framework. The findings in the paper indicate that some media platforms including the Nigerian Television Authority and Arise Television demonstrated a lack of objectivity in their coverage and reporting of the 2023 presidential election. The paper concludes that the overall performance of the media during the 2023 presidential election was marred by notable flaws, particularly in failing to deliver impartial coverage of political parties and candidates involved in the electoral process. Thus, the paper recommends that the media adhere strictly to established rules and regulations governing its conduct, particularly those outlined in the Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Broadcasting Code in Nigeria, and the Media Code for Election Coverage in Nigeria.
Author Biography
Abdulrahman Abubakar
Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Email: [email protected]