Aremu, Fatai AyindeBakare, Adebola RafiuAbayomi, Kolapo2019-10-312019-10-312018Aremu, F. A., Bakare A. R. & Abayomi, K. Q. (2018): An analysis of patterns of media coverage in Nigeria’s 2015 general elections. Journal of Communications and Language Art. Published by the Department of Communications and Language Arts, University of Ibadan.http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/3305Studies have established that the media is one of the core institutions in democratic sustenance. The media also play significant role in determining the voting pattern and electoral outcome which prompted contending political parties and their candidates to shift attention and substantial resources to media campaigns. Thus, the electoral battle is usually fought on the pages of newspapers before the Election Day. Hence, the media is fast becoming an institution worthy of reckon if a country wishes to have peaceful transition and democratic sustenance. It is in light of this that this study attempts to analyze the patterns of media coverage of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria in order to identify the causal factors as well as the loopholes surrounding extant laws and policies guiding the media in the Nigeria democratic regime. The study adopts sequential explanatory strategy of the mixed method research design using both primary and secondary data from four (4) major national newspapers (Nigerian Tribune, The Sun, Punch and Daily Trust). The data were analyzed using content analysis techniques and found that all the media outlets violated the regulatory frameworks to published hate speeches and characters murdering advertorials for political and economic personal gains. The causal factor shows that weak regulatory framework of print media made it susceptible to various forms of inducements, misuse and unethical practices. The study therefore recommends that a strong ethical standard mechanism, backed up with sanction be put in place and periodic sensitizations be done by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and other regulatory agencies on the need to eschew publications capable of undermining the peaceful existence of the country and the survival of the hard earned democracy.enmedia coverageelectionsdemocracypolitical participationArticle