AN ASSESSMENT OF NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF WOMEN FOR CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (W4CI): A STUDY OF FOUR NATIONAL DAILIES

Moses Chukwubuikem Ani, Endwell Onyinye Nyekwere

Abstract


A key strategy in promoting womens empowerment and gender equality has been the adoption of Affirmative Action to correct the age-long gender imbalance across societies. The assumption is that the Nigerian newspaper has not fared well in reporting womens political participation and decision making processes and this has been responsible for the exclusion of the interests of women in governance and development paradigms. This is why the Women for Change and Development Initiative (W4CI) was launched to mobilize women to take active part in politics. Hence, this study undertakes an assessment of Nigerian newspaper coverage of the W4CI with a focus on The Guardian, Daily Trust, Vanguard and Daily Sun newspapers. Using the content analysis and survey methods of research, the findings reveal that Nigerian newspapers frame issues relating to women in Nigerian politics based on the general perception held by the public. The agenda setting theory of communication was the theoretical foundation upon which this study was based as the paper recommends that Newspaper reports on issues should always relate such issues to the individuals frame of thought to help such individuals draw informed conclusions in accordance to the level of knowledge possessed on such issue.

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