Abstract
In most societies, women and girls are victims of war and violence. More often than not, during sectarian crises or escalating hostilities, they are sexually abused and left to suffer the brunt. With the aid of Human Rights Consciousness Journalism Theoretical Framework, this qualitative study “The Press, Sectarian Crisis and Violence against Women on the Plateau: A Critical Evaluation” investigated the matter in Plateau State, Nigeria. It found that ethnic and religious bias, lack of objective reportage and failure of international media are likely responsible for the failure of the press to bring an end to the orgy of violence against women in the state. The study recommended recruiting more women journalists, thorough reportage of women-related issues and proactive measures by female-journalists as possible panacea to the lingering cases of violence against women in Plateau. It concluded that given their rightful place in the media industry, women could reduce the menacing effects of gender-based violence. That way, the press would be exonerated from complicity in reporting women-in-conflict in Plateau State, Nigeria and beyond.