AMJD Volume. 14, Issue 2 (2026)

  1. Home
  2. Volume. 14, Issue 2

Contributor(s)

Adejoh Sunday & Samuel Ugochukwu Okoh
 

Keywords

Media Strategic Communication Terrorism Violent Extremism Counter-Violent Extremism Ideology Radicalization
 

Download Full-text (PDF)

... Download File [ 0.19 MB ]
 
Go Back

The media, strategic communication and countering violent extremism

Abstract: The role of communication in human society cannot be overemphasized. The media which is the conduit for information dissemination is a critical player in issues of conflict, conflict resolution and peacebuilding as the nature of media reportage is capable of destabilizing any state. A more dynamic role of the media in contemporary times is strategic communication which is employed by both state and non-state actors in projecting set goals. The international system in this era of globalization is grappling with series of threats and challenges amongst which is terrorism, insurgency and violent extremism which has led to loss of lives, humanitarian Crissis and economic crisis. In a bid to counter-terrorism, nations have adopted several measures either kinetic or non-kinetic. Strategic communication is one important measure or strategy utilized by states in countering terrorism. Hence this paper attempts to interrogate the role of the media and strategic communication in countering violent extremism. It argues that, in this era of globalization vis-à-vis emergence of social media, strategic communication is not just the exclusive preserve of states as nonstate actors like terrorist organizations also use it for recruitment, radicalization, promotion of radical ideology, attrition amongst others. This is desk research which relies basically on secondary sources of data and qualitative analysis. The findings of this paper indicates that the successes of violent extremist organizations particularly in terms of recruitment and radicalization is attributed to the use of strategic communication. The paper also argued that states have not efficiently and effectively utilized the media for strategic communication and counter violent extremism. This paper therefore argues that violent extremism is promoted using narratives that indoctrinates the vulnerable. Hence the state requires strategic communication to counter existing natives. In the final analysis it recommends the need for the integration of the media and Community Based Organizations and Civil society Organization in countering extremist narratives through advocacy and strategic communication.
 
 
 

African Multidisciplinary Journals of Development, 2026 | All Articles