Abstract

This study assesses the roles media propaganda play during electioneering campaigns in Nigeria. It is germane to note that the media perform essential roles in the democratization processes in any given country. In other words, it is an important channel for information dissemination during electioneering campaigns. However, the use and abuse of the media by political parties and their candidates who usually employ effective hate and atrocity propaganda against their perceived or real opponents during electioneering campaigns with the aim of securing the support of the electorates call for serious interrogation. In many instances, these politicians and their cronies use the mass media to deliberately manipulate their target audiences, dishing out hate speeches, controversial messages, disinformation, character assassination as well as name calling. In Nigeria, politicians use both conventional and social media platforms to mobilize voters along ethnic, religious and regional lines, thereby creating rooms for anger, disunity and conflicts. It is against this background that this study argues that, if necessary, measures are not taken by the government to regulate politicians from the deliberate use of the media for propaganda purposes in electioneering campaigns in Nigeria, political parties and their candidates will continue to exploit and mislead the electorates. The paper advises that Nigerian politicians should as a matter of urgency embrace issue-based campaigns which will benefit the people and the country at large. The study therefore, concludes among other things that as long as the media in Nigeria continue to serve as willing tools in the hands of the Nigerian politicians to advance their selfish interests through effective propaganda, free, fair and credible elections will continue to elude the country

Keywords

DemocratizationElectioneering CampaignsElectorateMedia PropagandaNigeria.

Published in: Nsibidi:AE-FUNAI Journal of Humanities ( Volume: 2 , Issue: 1 , October 2023)

Page(s): 140 - 155

Date of Publication: October 2023

ISSN Information: 1596-5428