An Evaluation of Press Coverage of Children’s and Women’s Rights in Nigeria

Levi Chinaka Nwodu, Chinwe Beatrice Ezeoke

Abstract


Factors like military incursion in the political life of Nigeria and brazen mismanagement of public affairs few occasions civilians came into power have over the years, cripple political, economic, social, ecological and cultural developments in Nigeria. Women and children largely constitute the principal victims of these combined political, social, ecological and economic crises to the extent women’s and children’s rights have been neglected over a long period of time in Nigeria. This study however, aimed to ascertain the nature, frequency and volume of coverage given to issues relating to women’s and children’s rights in the Nigerian news media. Content analysis was used to analyse the content of three randomly selected Nigerian Newspapers. Data obtained for the study were analysed using tables and simple percentages. Summary of results showed that the twin rights issues were poorly covered even as they were denied prominent positioning in the Nigerian press.

Keywords


Press; Children and women’s rights; Human right; Gender; Development; Mass media; Press coverage and Nigeria

Full Text:

PDF

References


Akagbosu, L. R and Omoruyi, G. E. (2003). The Media and the Population Policy: A Study of Print Media Reports from January 1988 to May 1989. In Ikechukwu E. Nwosu (Ed.) Polimedia: Media and Politics in Nigeria. Enugu: ACCE & Prime Targets, 297-306.

Amnesty International (2004). Interview with Folake. Lagos: Lagos State, November.

Amnesty International (2004). Interview with a Human Rights Defender Who Campaigns Against Woman in the Family.Lagos: Lagos State, November.

Baran, S.J. (1999) Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture. California: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Cohen, B (1963). The Press and Foreign Policy. Princeton: Princeton University.

Daniel, A. A. (2003). Agenda Setting for Political Communication: A Nigerian Experience, Unilag Communication Review, 4(1), 117-132.

Dominick, R. D (2002). The Dynamics of Mass Communication; Media in Digital Age. Boston: McGraw Hill Inc.

Edeani, D. O. (1990). Impact of Ownership on National Newspaper Coverage of A Mass Mobilization Campaign. Nigerian Journal of Mass Communication, 1(1), 18-29.

Enemaku, O. S. (2003). The Role of Political Parties in a Democracy: A Communication Perspective, Unilag Communication Review, 4(1), 79-89.

Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing Toward Clarification of a Fractured Paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4),51-58

Entman, R. M. (1991). Framing US Coverage of International News Contrasts in Narratives of the KAL and Iran Air Incidents. Journal of Communication, 41(4), 6-27.

Fab-Ukozor, N. T. (2004). Gender, Politics and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria: Beyond Rhetorics. In Ikechukwu E. Nwosu and Des Wilson (Eds.). Communication, Media and Conflict Management in Nigeria. Enugu: ACEE (Nigeria) & Prime Target Limited.

Fab-Ukozor, N. T. (2008). Ethical Responsibility and Professionalism in Journalism Practice: The Nigerian Experience. In V. N. Agbanu and C. D. Nwabueze (Eds.) Readings in Mass Communication: Global Perspective on Communication Issues. Owerri: Top Shelve

Galadima, D., & Enighe, J. (2003). Deregulation of Broadcast Media and the Rural Communities of Africa: A Case for Involvement. In Ikechukwu E. Nwosu (Ed.), Polimedia: Media and Politics in Nigeria. Enugu: ACCE & Prime Targets, 109-125.

Gieber, W (1956). Across the Desk: A Study of 16 Telegraph Editors. Journalism Quarterly, 33, 423-433

Gitlin, T (1980). The whole World is Watching: Mass Media in the Making and Unmaking of the New Left. Berkely, California: University of California Press.

Hirsch, P. M. (1977). Occupational, Organisational and Instructional Models in Mass Communication.In P. M. Hirsch et al (Eds.). Strategise for Communication Research. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.

Hosken, P. (1981). Towards Definition of Women. In Human Rights Quarterly, 3(2), May, 44-60.

Kelsey, S and Kelsey, P (2004). Human Rights Handbook for Journalists. Lagos: Journalists for Human Rights (JHR).

Lippmann, W (1922). Public Opinion. New York: Macmillan Publishers.

Lockwood, B. B. (2006). Women’s Rights: A Human Rights Quarterly Reader. Iowa: John Hopkins University Press.

McCombs, M & Shaw, D. (1974). A Progress Report on Agenda Setting Research, a Paper presented to the Association for the Education in Journalism. Theory and Methodology Division. San Diego, California, April, 18-27.

McLeod, D. M and Detenber, B. H. (1999). Framing Effects Of Television News Coverage Of Social Protest. Journal of Communication, 49(3), 3-23.

McQuail, D. (1987). Mass Communication Theory: An Introduction (6th Ed. ). London: Sage Publications, Limited.

Ndolo, I. S. (2009). Rebranding, Re-positioning or Repairing Nigeria. Paper Presented At Annual General Meeting of The Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (AAPN) Held at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, 1-19.

Nnadi, A. (2008). Contending Issues in Political Communication in Nigeria.In V. N. Agbanu and C. D. Nwabueze (Eds.) Readings in Mass Communication: Global Perspective on Communication Issues. Owerri: Top Shelve NPC and UNICEF (2001). Children’s and Women’s Rights in Nigeria: A Wake Call. Lagos: UNICEF Publications.

Nwodu, L. C. (2010). Mass Media and Society. In K. O. Nworgu (Ed.) Mass communication: theory and practice (pp. 403-416). Owerri: Ultimate Books.

Nwodu, L. C. (2006). Research in Communication and other Behavioural Sciences: Concepts, Issues and Methods. Enugu: Rhyce Kerex Publishers.

Nwodu, L. C. & Koga, V. (2009). Empirical Evaluation of Opinions About Niger Delta Crisis: Implications for Peace Building and Crisis Management. Public Relations Journal, 5(1&2), 1-19.

Nwosu, I. E. (2007). Principles, Models and Theories of Sustainable Development: An Afro-Centric Overview and Introduction of the Synergistic Communication for Development (SCD) Strategy in I.E. Nwosu, T. N. Fab-Ukozor & Nwodu, L. C. (Eds.). Communication for Sustainable Human Development. Enugu: ACCE, Enugu.

Nwosu, I. E. and Nwodu, L. C. (2007). An Empirical Analysis of the Factors Influencing Child Labour Abuses and Control in Nigeria: Towards the Application of ACADA Model. The Nigeria Journal of Development Studies, 6(1), 12-32.

Nwosu, I. E. (1990). Mass Media and Political Mobilization During Elections: Toward Improved Knowledge and Skill.Nigerian Journal of Mass Communication, 1(1), 30-44.

Nwosu, I. E. (1996). Guides to Christian Writings. Enugu: E-Nok Publishers.

Okigbo, C. (1992). Marketing, Political Philosophy and Communication: A Synergy. Marketing Politics: Advertising Strategy and Tactics. Lagos: APCON, 119-129.

Omu, F (1978). Press and Politics in Nigeria: 1880-1937. London: Longman Publishers.

Onyisi, T. E. (1986). The Role of the Mass Media in A Democracy in I. E. Nwosu and U. Ekwo (Eds.). Mass Media and Marketing Communication: Principles, Perspectives and Practices. Enugu: Thought Communication Publishers, pp.245- 256.

Peng, Z. (2008). Framing the Anti-War Process in the Global Village: a Comparative Study of Newspaper Coverage in Three Countries. International Communication Gazette, 70(5), 361-377.

Scheufele, D. A. (1999). Framing as a Theory of Media Effects. Journal of Communication, 49(1), 103-122.

Shoemaker, P. J., et al (2001). Individual and Routine Forces in Gatekeeping. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 78(2), 233-246.

Singer, J. (1998). Online Journalists: Foundations for Research into their Changing Roles. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 4(1). Retrieved from http//:www.acusc.org/jcmc/vol4/issue1/singer.html, (25 September, 2010)

Uche, L. U. (1989). Mass Media and Politics in Nigeria. New Delhi: Ashok Kumar Mittal Concept Publishing Company.

White, T. (1973). The Making of the President 1972. New York: Bantan.

White, T. (1950). The Gatekeeper: A Case-study in Selection of News. Journalism Quarterly, 27, 383 -390.

Wimmer, R. D. & Dominick, J. R (2003). Mass Media Research: An Introduction. Belmont: Wardsworth.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/j.hess.1927024020130402.3410

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c)



Share us to:   

 

Please send your manuscripts to [email protected]，or  [email protected]  for consideration. We look forward to receiving your work.


 


 Articles published in Higher Education of Social Science are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY).

HIGHER EDUCATION OF SOCIAL SCIENCE Editorial Office

Address: 1055 Rue Lucien-L'Allier, Unit #772, Montreal, QC H3G 3C4, Canada.
Telephone: 1-514-558 6138 
Website: Http://www.cscanada.net Http://www.cscanada.org 
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Copyright © 2010 Canadian Research & Development Center of Sciences and Cultures