NEWSPAPER FRAMING OF NIGERIA'S SEVENTH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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Date
2017-03
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CRUTEC Journal of Communication (CJC)
Abstract
The importance of the Nigerian House of Representatives is noticeable in its legislation, representation and surveillance among others. On its part, newspapers are always alive with reports on activities of the House of Representatives. However, the aspects of undertaking qualitative research to complement existing studies that adopt other methods have been elusive. Consequently, this study seeks to analyse the pattern of frames newspaper uses to construct stories on the House of Representatives. Method of the study is qualitative content analysis while population is four Nigerian dailies namely Thisday, the Nation, Daily Trust, and Nigerian Tribune purposively selected. Unit of analysis is headlines systematically selected between January 2013 and December, 2014. Findings reveal conflict/human interest as the dominant frame newspaper uses to construct its stories. Findings also show that several reports do not favour the House of Representatives. The study recommends among other things that newspaper should restrain from conflict-ridden frames that are dramatic but employ frames with educational undertone. On its part, the Green chamber should eschew from misdemeanours which prompt newspaper to depict it in a negative light.
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Keywords
Newspaper framing,, House of Representatives,, Budget,, Legislation and oversight