Abstract

Nigerian newspapers are expected to play a very significant role in times of national crises just as what Nigeria has gone through since the beginning of Boko Haram terrorism in 2009 and the Ebola disease in 2014. The concern of this study was the part played by The Nation and The Guardian newspapers in reporting these key issues of national crises. Among others, the study answered the following research questions: what are the national security implications of the headlines on Boko Haram insurgency and Ebola disease by The Nation and The Guardian; what is the extent of political undertone in the headlines on Boko Haram insurgency and Ebola disease by The Nation and The Guardian? Content analysis was the research method used. Findings showed that 12.5% of the front-page headlines on Boko Haram in The Nation were capable of encouraging the Nigerian military in fighting the insurgents while 5% of The Guardian could do the same. Of the front-page headlines of The Nation on Ebola disease, 33.33% each could increase tension, inform/educate and douse tension respectively. Among recommendations, editors must appreciate that security supersedes newspaper ownership interest and that patriotism calls for their contribution to keeping the nation safe and secure. 

Key Words: Nigerian Newspapers, National Crises, Insecurity, Boko Haram, Ebola Disease.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 7, No. 1, April 2015, 25 – 38 

©Delmas Communications Ltd.

About the authors

*Dr Aniefiok Udoudo is a senior lecturer  in Communication Studies at the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

**Daniel Nwanmereni is a Master of Arts degree student  in Communication Studies at the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

***Ebele Ire is a lecturer in the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Full Article

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