Language, Violence, and the Media: Newspaper framing of Boko Haram

Abstract

Violence is almost always accompanied by language. When violence occurs it appears to rely on a discursive accompaniment that assigns meaning to it. This paper seeks out the connections between language and violence by examining how the media characterizes violent actions and in so doing influence perceptions and reactions to the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Language is seen here as an essential instrument by which societal awareness and morale can be constructed against acts of violence. As purveyors of words, the media in particular, has a social responsibility to contribute to national security through what it disseminates to the general public. The concept of violence, the metaphorical language that describes it as well as the potential embedded in language to bring about peace is the main focus here.