A CONTENT ANALYTICAL STUDY OF NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF LASSA FEVER IN TWO NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER

Abstract

This study sought to determine the frequency with which the Punch and Vanguard newspapers reported Lassa fever in the October to December 2018 in Nigeria since it is a serious issue which is easily infectious and claims lives. The study was anchored on the Agenda Setting Theory. It adopted content analysis research design and through the use of purposive sampling technique, the researcher picked 92 editions each of the Punch and Vanguard Newspapers as the sample size of the study. Data revealed that the Punch and Vanguard newspapers Data revealed that The Punch and Vanguard newspapers did not attach enough importance to the coverage of the October to December 2018 Lassa fever issue. Data also showed that Lassa fever was not the major lead story of the newspapers; although the reports had full details on the inside page. In addition, data also showed that The Punch newspapers covered more on the Lassa fever case more than Vanguard newspaper. The study concluded that The Punch and Vanguard newspapers did not do an adequate job in informing the public about what Lassa fever is and the way out by frequently writing on them. The study therefore recommended that the media should enlighten the public about ways to prevent Lassa fever in the country.