Generic Framing of Boko Haram Insurgency in the Nigerian Press
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Date
2017-06-01
Journal Title
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Publisher
Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos
Abstract
This study examines the patterns of frames adopted by the Nigerian newspapers in the coverage of Boko Haram insurgency. It adopted the methodological justification of content analysis as means of obtaining data. A multistage sampling technique was adopted to selected the newspapers. This involves a purposive and systematic random selection of the units of analysis. The study, which is situated within the assumptions, arguments and discussion of framing theory explores newspaper reportage of an ongoing crisis rooted in spiritual beliefs in a multi-religious setting. The content analysis of two Nigerian newspapers (the Guardian and the Nation), conducted to determine the print media framing of the insurgency, produced 237 news articles during a period of six months in 2014. Findings show that Nigerian newspapers adopt the five generic frames of framing as postulated by Semetko and Valkenburg (2000). Hence, they reported the news stories along the responsibility, human interest, conflicts, morality and economic consequences frames. The results show that the responsibility frame is the most prevalent frame. This finding demonstrates the roles of the press as a builder of consensus and thus ascertain media social responsibility stance for a society in crises.
Description
With special reference to Boko Haram insurgency, this study demonstrates the roles of the press as a builder of consensus and thus ascertain media social responsibility stance for a society in crises.
Keywords
Boko Haram, Framing, Insurgency, The Guardian, The Nation
Citation
Mustapha, M. L., Ibrahim, I. A., Mustapha, L. K. & Udende, P. (2017). Generic Framing of Boko Haram Insurgency in the Nigerian Press. A Journal of Multimedia Technology & Communication Studies, 3(1),154-176.