NJOMACS

The protracted farmers-herders conflict in North-Central Nigeria has become one of the most critical security and humanitarian challenges facing the country today. Rooted in competition over natural resources, aggravated by climate change, governance failure, and ethnic tensions, the conflict has led to thousands of deaths, mass displacement, and widespread destruction. Media coverage of this crisis plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception, influencing policy responses, and potentially either de-escalating or intensifying hostilities. This study investigates the ethical dimensions of media reportage on the conflict, with particular focus on how journalistic narratives contribute to conflict dynamics and social cohesion. Drawing on the Social Responsibility Theory of the press, the research emphasizes the ethical obligations of journalists to promote fairness, accuracy, and peace-oriented reporting. A quantitative content analysis was conducted on 30 purposively selected articles from major Nigerian newspapers, including The Punch, Daily Trust, The Guardian, and Vanguard, published between 2020 and 2024. The findings reveal significant ethical lapses in reportage, including the use of inflammatory language, imbalanced sourcing, ethnic stereotyping, and sensational headlines. It advocates for capacity-building programs for journalists, establishing institutional editorial guidelines, and enhancing regulatory frameworks to ensure the adherence to media ethics in reporting conflict.