Single Story Sellers Everywhere: Deconstructing Media Reportage on Banditry in Nigeria

Purpose: The media has been described as the fourth estate of the realm because of the huge role it plays in information dissemination and education. However, when the media peddles narratives to make and or mar one group, the media losses its role ethos and principle of balance and neutrality. Therefore, this work attempts to interrogate imbalance media reportage on the issue of north/south divide on banditry. Method: The work is qualitative and employs extant literature as its main source. Findings: The work found out that the media reports the same incidences in different parts of Nigeria in different tones, when violent crimes occur in the north it is simply referred to as banditry but whilst it happens elsewhere, it is called other less derogatory names that do not qualify the extent of the crimes committed. Implications/Originality/Value: The work recommended among other things that the media must uphold its principles of balanced journalism and help peddle narratives that bind rather than divide.