Abstract

Nigeria is one of the countries of the world, whose culture, values and norms prohibit homosexuality. It is possible, therefore, that when it comes to covering homosexuality in Nigeria, the principles and procedures that govern many of the world’s journalists (objectivity, fairness and balance) are maneuvered to suit national ideological perspectives. The study aims at ascertaining whether cultural realities influenced Nigerian Journalists’ attitude towards coverage of homosexuality issues. Anchored on functionalism theory and cultural Development theory, the study adopted both content analysis and Focus Group Discussion methods. Three Nigerian newspapers, Vanguard, Guardian and Daily Sun, were content analysed while National Assembly correspondents were used for the FGD. Results showed that the coverage given to the issue of homosexuality by the Nigerian press was low; and Nigerian journalists are influenced by cultural realities in their attitude towards coverage of homosexuality issues.

Key Words: Nigerian Journalists, Perceptions, Attitude, Reporting, Homosexuality.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 7, No. 1, April 2015, 53 – 72 

©Delmas Communications Ltd.

About the authors

*Dr. Chinenye Nwabueze, Ph.D., is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria

**Dr.  Angela Nwammuo, Ph.D., is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria

***Nnamdi Nweke is of the Department of Mass Communication, Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria

Full Article

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