JOURNALISTS' PERCEPTION OF MASS MEDIA ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The research examined journalists' perception of mass media roles in promoting diversity 
and inclusion in Nigeria. The main objective of the study is to ascertain the extent to which 
the media have been used in promoting issues of diversity and inclusion in Nigeria. 
Anchored on the Agenda Setting Theory, the researcher surveyed 270 journalists and 
editors through well-structured questionnaire. Findings shows that majority of journalists 
are of the view that the mass media has not adequately promoted diversity and inclusion in 
Nigeria. They believe that diversity and inclusion can be promoted among Nigerians 
through constant awareness creation, frequent media debate and discourse about issues 
relating to diversity and inclusion even as the national Orientations Agency should engage 
in orientation programme about issues of inclusion and diversity in Nigeria among others. 
The research therefore concluded that the mass media has not been effective in the 
promotion of diversity and inclusion in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that mass 
media owners should encourage journalists to engage in the reportage of issues that 
concerns diversity and inclusion even as the mass media should continually set agenda 
about issues of diversity and inclusion in Nigeria.