Abstract

This study examined the coverage of the 2024 cholera outbreak in Nigeria by Daily Trust and The Punch newspapers. It focused on the newspaper role in informing, educating, and mobilizing the public during the outbreak. Using content analysis, 106 newspaper editions published between June 9 and July 31, 2024, were reviewed to evaluate the frequency, prominence, formats, and sources of cholera-related stories. Findings revealed that there was high frequency of reports on the outbreak right from when it started. Also, the outbreak was given prominence owing to a substantial part of its stories appearing on the front pages of the selected newspapers. However, most of the stories on the cholera outbreak were predominantly straight news formats. Government sources were heavily relied upon, while voices from victims, NGOs, and health workers were underrepresented. This paper concluded that the newspapers did well in setting agenda for the cholera outbreak in 2024 to ensure awareness. It was recommended that Nigerian newspapers should diversify formats of articles on disease outbreaks to include editorials and human-interest pieces to provide depth of information not only for awareness but also prevention of further spread of such diseases.  The newspapers should also incorporate a broader range of sources to enhance the depth of stories. These measures could further strengthen the media’s role in addressing public health crises in Nigeria, especially during disease outbreak.

Key Words: Cholera, Outbreak, Newspaper, Health, News

About the Authors

* Yinusa Shittu is a lecturer in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria. His areas of research interest include print journalism, development communication, public relations, advertising, and the impact of new media technologies on society.

** Bashirat Damola Subair is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria Her areas of research interest include peace journalism and health communication.

*** Simeon Adedotun Adewuyi is broadcast journalist with Okin 105.7 FM, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria. His areas of research interest include broadcast journalism, health communication, and development communication.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 17, No. 2, October 2025, pp. 78-88

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Shittu, Y., Subair, B. D. & Adewuyi, S. A. (2025). Coverage of the 2024 cholera outbreak in Nigeria by two selected newspapers. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 17 (2): 78-88.

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