1.1 Background to the study

The term ‘gender’ refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women. This may however be confused with ‘sex’, but while sex refers to the biological distinction between male and female, gender is a cultural distinction. Gender-based violence can also be used to refer to violence experienced by men as a result of their gender and so does not specifically refer solely to violence experienced by women. However, it is a term that is used broadly throughout the world and the use of the word ‘gender’ initiates thinking about the differences in the ways that women and men experience, and are subject to, violence particularly from someone known to them.

The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (UNDEVW) describes violence as “a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over, the discrimination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women,” and as “one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men”. Women’s lack of social and economic power, accepted gender roles and the low value put on women’s work perpetuate and reinforce this subordinate position. Early marriage, inheritance of widows and male control of property encourage female dependency, particularly in regions with high under and unemployment of women and poor access to social welfare Services and limit women’s ability to escape violent situations.

There is lack of information on accurate estimates of the magnitude of physical and Sexual violence against married women in Nigeria largely due to violence being unreported; and in most cases, those reported are not recorded by authorities. Information provides stimulus for all thought and actions of human beings. According to Olawu (2014) sited in Akarika, Iwok & Ikon (2019) information entails data, facts, imaginations, ideas, opinion, cultural values in a variety of media which include print, audio visual materials and electronic processors. The Amnesty International (2002) report titled: “Rape – The Invisible Crime”, noted that victims of rape in Nigeria had an enormous problem persuading the police and other prosecuting authorities that they had actually been raped. The victims had to prove that they did not consent to the act, or that their agreement was obtained through threats. Also because of the stigma attached to sexual abuse in many Nigerian cultures, women blame themselves and fear that they will be ostracised from society if they admit to being sexually abused (IRIN, 2017), and thus continue to suffer in silence. Hence, the available statistics may not reflect the actual prevalence. However, Men experience violence perpetrated by women, though theirs is not alarming.

Surveys conducted by women’s organisations have shown that the media portray gender stereotypes that are detrimental to women and that can impact negatively on the attitudes towards violence against women. However, because mass media communications reach and influence large numbers of people, they also have the potential to play a positive role in the struggle against violence against women (Pickup, Williams, and Sweetman 2011). The vital role played by the print media in the society is of pivotal importance in confronting gender-based violence. One of the roles is creating awareness, in this case, issues to do with gender-based violence in the society. The media also updates the readers on what is currently going on. Another role of print media is to reflect the public opinion on broad issues, mostly through the letters to the editor. Readers are able to let known how they feel on issues on GBV and how the government may deal with these issues.

Gender-based violence knows no boundaries, and cuts across racial, ethnic, class, age, economic, religious and cultural divides. It takes place everywhere in society. In Nigeria, like in most African societies, domestic violence is gendered and culturally patterned. Within the prevailing norms, it can be argued that the husband has the right to control his wife as he deems appropriate (Amnesty International, 2002; IRIN, 2017). Challenging the social attitudes and beliefs is of great importance in solving the problem of gender-based violence (GVRC, Annual Report 2011-2012).

Gender-based violence knows no boundaries, and cuts across racial, ethnic, class, age, economic, religious and cultural divides. It takes home everywhere in society. Though women comprise the largest number of victims, a Non-governmental organization based in Nigeria to fight for the rights of men and which exclusively focuses on battered men. This may not necessarily be able to deal with all issues to do with the boy child, and thus GBV amongst boys and men still remains an ignored issue and may go unattended to. The inclusion of men in the gender-based violence has been largely ignored but should be paramount to intervention program implementation.

The dominant myth and expectation is that the media are neutral and objective and journalists are guided mostly by the code of conduct in their reporting of issues of gender- based violence. This is not always the case and thus each journalist brings to the newsroom his/her views, opinion, beliefs and attitudes. These essentially inform the way in which the journalists view a particular issue. Thus the media are not passive transmitters of information to society but are sources of information that come with value judgments.

Based on these observations, this research seeks to examine the  comparative analysis of Ebonyi broadcasting corporation and dream FM report on gender based violence in Ebonyi state.

1.2 statement of the problem

The radio plays a very important tool in fighting gender-based violence because it not only reports on society but also helps in shaping the public opinion and perception. The media calls attention to social problem and issues and thereby hold leaders and even members of the society accountable. Radio stations are far-reaching and an authoritative source of information.  It is no doubt that media coverage matters and is very important in shaping all matters. Thus whatever media primes or sets as an agenda, affects people’s way of viewing that issue.

The dominant myth and expectation is that media is neutral and objective and that journalists are guided mostly by the code of conduct in their reporting of issues of gender-based violence. This is not always the case and thus each journalist brings to the newsroom his/her views, opinion, beliefs and attitudes. These essentially inform the way in which the journalists view a particular issue. Thus media is not a passive transmitter of information to society but a source of information that comes with value judgements.