Abstract

Communication scholars across the globe have stressed the critical role played by the mass media which is vital for the effective functioning of a society. Functioning as the communicative link between political and social actors, the mass media not only serve as a source of information for members of the public but also possesses the capacity to influence the perception of pressing issues and the depiction of such issues; the people and their institutions in particular ways, which ultimately, may shape individuals’ political consciousness and participation within the society. The aim of this study therefore, is to examine the patterns of Nigeria’s newspapers coverage of news stories on the metropolitan page and its social implications in the society. Through the use of content analysis, a total of nine dailies- The Punch, Daily Sun, The Guardian, Vanguard, Nigerian Pilot, Nigerian Tribune, Daily Trust, New Telegraph and the National Mirror were examined for the study in order to ascertain trends on the metro-page as reported by the selected newspapers. The paper discusses findings from the study which found that reportage about murders dominated news items on the metro-page, and its attendant implications for the society while advocating a more positive media impact.

Key Words: Metro-Page, News Stories, Trends, Newspapers, Nigeria

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*Fatima Abubakre (nee Adekola) is an Information Officer with the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin. She is also the Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), University of Ilorin Chapel.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 9, No. 1, April  2017, 163 –   172