Efficacy of Conflict Sensitive Reporting in Managing the Farmers-Herders Clashes in Nasarawa State

Abstract

The violent clashes between Farmers-Herder have become a common security challenge in Nasarawa State resulting in loss of lives, destruction of properties and displacement of others. This study was conducted to ascertain the efficacy of conflict sensitive reporting in managing the Farmers-Herders clashes in Nasarawa State. The study is anchored on conflict theory supported by the social responsibility theory while the secondary data was relied upon for analysis. The study established that conflict sensitive reporting is capable of making positive contribution towards peaceful management and resolution of the clashes between Farmers-Herders in Nasarawa State by creating a platform for accurate report of the clashes. Conflict sensitive reporting is also capable of diffusing tension, reducing and containing the long age conflict between Farmers-Herders in Nasarawa State. In addition, conflict sensitive reporting is capable of bringing the conflict or clashes between Farmers-Herders to the plane of discussion with proposals for resolution, in order to bring about development in Nasarawa State. Although conflict sensitive reporting is often faced with the challenges of language use in the media, elite sources and lack of interest in peace oriented stories, the study concludes that conflict sensitive reporting is crucial in managing the farmers-herders clashes which has become a major security challenge in Nasarawa State, by way of creating a platform for the farmers and herders to express their grievances despite the challenges of language use in the media, elite sources and lack of interest in peace stories. Based on this, the study recommends that farmers-herders should be educated or sensitized on the dangers of engaging in violent clashes pointing out the negative part of violent clashes using the most appropriate and decent language and conflict sensitive reporters should always engage the farmers and herders when sourcing for information on the clashes.