DEPLOYING COMMUNITY RADIO TO ARREST THE SPATE OF KIDNAPPING IN NIGERIA

Abstract: A global study of the top 10 kidnap-for-ransom risk countries ranked Nigeria as the second riskiest country in the world (Constellis, 2017). This situation has become a constant news item on conventional media; this is including reporting it on social media outlets to such an extent that news of kidnapping is now commonplace. Be that as it may, the concern of this paper therefore is explore the effectiveness of community radio in curtailing the increasing menace of kidnapping in Nigeria. The paper was guided by Democratic Participant Media Theory, a framework that focuses on the right of the individual or a minority to have direct access to the media This theory applies to this paper succinctly in that it creates a diversity of voices and opinions on air through its openness to participation from community members. The paper adopted a Library-Based Research method by generating necessary information through a literature review using academic journal articles, newspaper reports, bulletins, and e-books among others. The paper established a correlation between kidnapping in Nigeria the country's development in addition to the positive place of community radio for rural development. The paper recommended that the establishment of community media in our rural communities is a requirement that governments at all levels should set forth to guarantee that the synergy between the media and the law enforcement agencies, local authorities, and civil society organizations becomes feasible in combating kidnapping incidents in Nigeria as well as the strengthening of community's resilience against kidnappings by developing and deploying participatory community engagement programmes on community radio stations.

Keywords: Community Radio, Kidnapping, Security Threats, Rural Conflict Reporting

Published: June 2024

Issue: Vol 1 (3) 2024: PLASU JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES