The Press and the Politics of Marginal Voices: Narratives of the Experiences of the Ogoni of Nigeria

Abstract

Given its place in the vortex of power relations in Nigeria, the Nigerian press has nurtured and/or subverted, promoted and/or combated the legitimacy of hegemonic power-blocs and state in their relationship with minority (marginal) ethnic groups. The role of the press in this context has become more crucial since the struggle of the minority ethnic groups gained a new impetus in the 1980s and 1990s Nigeria, linked as it was to a global resurgence of the drive towards self-determination and the attendant nationalist struggles. This article use the case of the Ogoni ethnic group in the oil-rich region of Nigeria to examine how newspapers and news magazines use narratives to interrupt and intervene in the process of dominant discourses and practices that subordinate relatively powerless minorities. Against the backdrop of narrative theory, the article provides empirical evidence of the centrality of narratives in the mobilization or de-mobilization of marginal intervention in the socio-economic and political life of the centrein the African postcolony.

Pasifika in the news: the portrayal of Pacific peoples in the New Zealand press

“…Internationally, researchers have criticized news portrayals for depicting minority groups as ill, infirmed, overly dependent, and out of place (Adebanwi, 2004;Hodgetts, Masters, & Robertson, 2004;Pietikaninen, 2003;van Dijk, 2000). These studies have documented how news reports are predominantly framed through the prejudices of majority groups, representing minorities within the context of social problems such as illness, crime and poverty.…”

“…207). News reports in particular often maintain distinctions between 'us', the majority audience addressed by reports, and 'them', the minority audience reported on by the news (Adebanwi, 2004;Hall, 1997).…”

“…Minority groups are underrepresented and when they appear are characterized as one-dimensional and inferior 'others' (Silverstone & Georgiou, 2005). Recently, such portrayals have been associated with ongoing processes of colonisation in many different countries (Adebanwi, 2004;Curnow, Hopa, & McRae, 2002;Pietikaninen, 2003;Spoonley & Hirsh, 1990). These researchers have documented how ethnic minorities are significantly disadvantaged in mainstream media coverage, which often functions to silence minority voices, while drawing on majority voices to frame issues of relevance for minority groups (Hodgetts, Masters, & Robertson, 2004;Rankin & McCreanor, 2004;Thomas & Nikora, 1989).…”

Mass Media and Ethnic Politics in Nigeria: An Overview

“…Henry Townsend, a missionary of the Church Missionary Society (C.M.S. ), established the first newspaper in Nigeria (Adebanwi :766; Sunday :1) called Iwe Irohin Fun Awon Ara Egba ati Yorùbá (meaning, newspaper for the Egba People and the Yoruba) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the stated objective was ‘to beget the habit of seeking information by reading’, but the paper's demonstrable role was that of ambitious political propaganda and (as an instrument for) shrewd manoeuvring for power in Egbaland” (see Omu :8; Ogbonda ). Thus, even from its supposedly pedagogic beginning, the press was located at the vortex of power, becoming agitational and, often, political (Agbaje :459).…”

Towards an African Journalism Model

“…However, the journalists who emerged during the colonial period inherited the oral discourse style of communication in identifying with their readers in raising public awareness on the excesses of the colonial administration, and in this way making a significant contribution in setting the agenda in the struggle for nationhood. Hence, although, as Adebanwi (2004: 766, following Omu, 1978 argues, the first Nigerian newspaper in Yoruba, Iwe-Iroyin (translation: Newspaper), was published by a missionary, the Revd Henry Townsend, whose stated objective was to 'beget the habit of seeking information by reading', the paper's demonstrable role was that of 'ambitious political propaganda and [as an instrument for] shrewd manoeuvring for power in Egbaland'. 'Thus, even from its supposedly pedagogic beginning', Adebanwi adds (citing Agbaje, 1993: 459), the press was located at the very vortex of power, becoming 'committed, agitational and, often, political'.…”