NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS’ COVERAGE AND FRAMING OF THE ANTI-CORRUPTION CRUSADE IN NIGERIA (JUNE 2015 TO MAY 2017)

SOURCE:

Faculty: Social Sciences
Department: Mass Communication

CONTRIBUTORS:

Bebenimibo Paul
Dunu V. Ifeoma

ABSTRACT:

This study sought to examine Nigerian newspapers’ coverage and framing of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade from June 2015 to May 2017. The study was premised on what the current administration considered a top priority, the fight against corruption, on inception. The work therefore, specifically, aimed at ascertaining how the newspapers have keyed into this agenda by examining the frequency of anti-corruption stories reported, the prominence given to the stories, and how such stories were framed by the newspapers. Framing and the Agenda setting theories form the theoretical foundation upon which the study was anchored. The study employed a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative research data gathering techniques involving the quantitative content analysis and the critical incident analysis (CIA). The quantitative data was analysed and presented in tables and percentages while the qualitative data were thematically discussed. A total of 280 copies of newspapers were drawn from five newspapers out of 20 national newspapers from the sampling frame. A total of 3,065 items which comprised straight news, editorials and feature articles were coded from the selected newspapers. However, the anti-corruption stories were 265. Findings revealed that the newspapers studied gave prominence to stories on the anti-corruption campaign as most of the stories were found in front pages. However, there was low frequency of coverage compare to other themes reported in the newspapers. The newspapers had no firm stance or clear position on the anti-corruption campaigns of the current administration as evidenced in the low number of editorials, features and opinionated articles published. The newspapers paid more attention to issues of politics, economy and other matters than issues relating to the anti-corruption campaigns. The data from the CIA corroborated the findings of the quantitative data, with regard to minimal frequency of coverage and lack of agenda setting function of the media in this regard. The findings are indicative of the media low regard for the campaign. The study recommended among others that there is need for the media to key into the anti-corruption crusade of the current administration as it apparently places so much importance on the eradication of corruption in Nigeria.