Frames in the Nigerian Newspapers’ Coverage of Wike and Yerima Confrontation Over Land in Abuja-Nigeria

Abstract

This study analysed the frames in seven major Nigerian newspapers’ coverage of the face-off between Wike and Yerima. The objectives of the study included to ascertain the coverage rate of the Nigerian newspapers’ framing of the Wike and Yerima face-off over land and determine the frames used in the coverage of the confrontation between Wike and Yerima over land by selected Nigerian newspapers. The newspapers—Vanguard, The Guardian, ThisDay, The Nation, Punch, DailyTrust and BusinessDay—were examined through a narrative analysis. The study’s sample size was eleven (11) articles: straight news and editorial. Available sampling technique guided the selection of newspapers contents. The framing theory provided the framework for the study. Findings discovered that Punch devoted more space to the coverage of the clash between Wike and the naval officer. The study revealed that DailyTrust, ThisDay, Vanguard and The Nation stood out in framing legal issues in their reportage. The study also revealed that Guardian and BusinessDay devoted their spaces to land grabbing frame. While Punch dedicated more spaces to framing the issue of land scam. The study underscored the nuanced framing strategies of Nigerian newspapers in Wike vs Yerima face-off coverage was influenced by audience perception in government policies and information dissemination. Hence, the study recommended that selected Nigerian newspapers should be objective in framing controversial issues that involve public officials.