The media is very good at influencing public perception about events, institutions, activities, or situations. Media coverage can influence public opinion of military counterinsurgency actions in a favourable or unfavourable way. The purpose of this study was to determine how much the public believes the media's reporting of the military war against Boko Haram insurgency, how much the public believes Arise TV, a privately owned TV station, and why the public prefers Nigerian Television Authority. It also sought to determine how the public perceives the media's coverage of the military war against Boko Haram insurgency, how much the media influences the public's perception of the military incursion against Boko Haram, and what kind of influence Nigerian media coverage of the military war against insurgent has on the country's audience. Using the Social Judgement theory as its foundation, the study emphasised how audience perception—which is based on pre-existing attitudes or beliefs—involves acceptance, rejection, and noncommitment to media coverage. Using a survey, this study uses the quantitative research methodology. Results from field answers showed that ownership structure is a key factor in determining a media outlet's reporting, and the importance of information in security research necessitates appropriate ethical consideration. The study concludes that the privately owned media (Arise TV) reportage of military-insurgency fight was believed by the audience (respondents) than reportage of the government-owned media (NTA) which was tied to professionalism, and credibility thus recommends, public-owned media outlets to prioritize rebuilding their credibility and professionalism.
Vol. 3, No 2, pp. 9-16.