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Framing the 'Deep Scars' of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

Cilt: 12 Sayı: 2 21 Ekim 2025
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Framing the 'Deep Scars' of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

Öz

Aim: This study examines how four Nigerian national newspapers, Vanguard, Daily Trust, Leadership, and Punch, framed the COVID-19 pandemic through editorial approaches, sourcing strategies, and dominant narratives, and evaluates the impact on public health communication and emergency management. Method: A total of 851 articles published in 528 newspaper editions between March 2020 and December 2021 were analysed using content analysis. The study applied Entman’s micro-frame analysis to identify the main themes and frames used in reporting the pandemic. The data coding and analysis process focused on news placement, type, sourcing strategies, and dominant frames. Findings: The results show that the newspapers addressed COVID-19 through frames such as prevention, treatment, transmission, support measures, vaccination, and misinformation. Placement of reports on the front page increased public interest. The most frequently cited sources were government officials and health professionals, which enhanced the credibility of the reports. However, negative framing shaped by editorial policies and political ideologies influenced public perception and complicated crisis management. Religious and cultural biases, along with misinformation, contributed to vaccine hesitancy. While early coverage focused heavily on fear and uncertainty, over time, it shifted towards more balanced perspectives. Conclusion: The study underscores the significant influence of media framing on public health responses. Editorial decisions and political leanings shaped Nigeria’s COVID-19 narratives, affecting public trust and crisis management strategies. To improve health emergency reporting, media organisations should integrate religious and cultural frames, prioritise balanced coverage, and counter misinformation through evidence-based journalism.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Destekleyen Kurum

The research was not funded by any individual or organisation. It was the personal efforts of the researchers.

Etik Beyan

This study was conducted following the ethical guidelines and principles and adhered to the standards of research integrity. The study did not involve any form of deception, harm, or coercion. All procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the relevant institutional and national research committee(s)

Kaynakça

  1. ADEKUNLE, A., & ADNAN, H. (2016). Communicating health: Media framing of Ebola outbreak in Nigerian newspapers. Malaysian Journal of Communication, 32, 362-380. https://doi.org/10.17576/jkmjc-2016-3202-19.
  2. ADELOYE, D., DAVID, R., OLAOGUN, A., AUTA, A., ADESOKAN, A., GADANYA, M., OPELE, J., OWAGBEMI, O., & ISEOLORUNKANMI, A. (2017). Health workforce and governance: the crisis in Nigeria. Human Resources for Health, 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-017-0205-4.
  3. ADENIRAN, R., KAYODE, O., & OSO, L. (2019). Framing of maternal and child healthcare issues in Nigerian newspapers. 34-57. https://doi.org/10.31211/interacoes.n37.2019.a2.
  4. BEN-ENUKORA, C., OYERO, O., OKORIE, N., Odiboh, O., & Adeyeye, B. (2020). Analysis of 2017 risk communication on Human Monkey Pox outbreak in Nigeria’s News Media. International Journal of Education, 14, 69-75. https://doi.org/10.46300/9109.2020.14.9.
  5. CDC (11 February 2020). "Post-COVID Conditions". U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  6. CILLIZZA, C. (2020). The point. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/20/politics/donald-trump-china-virus-coronavirus/index.html
  7. COLEMAN, S. & BLUMER, J.G. (2009). The Internet and Democratic Citizenship: Theory, Practice and Policy. New York: Cambridge University Press.
  8. ENTMAN, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 51–58.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Gazetecilik, Gazetecilik Çalışmaları, Kitle İletişimi, Sağlık Sosyolojisi

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Erken Görünüm Tarihi

3 Eylül 2025

Yayımlanma Tarihi

21 Ekim 2025

Gönderilme Tarihi

10 Ağustos 2024

Kabul Tarihi

22 Ekim 2024

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2025 Cilt: 12 Sayı: 2

Kaynak Göster

APA
Ugondo, P. I., & Gana, V. S. (2025). Framing the ’Deep Scars’ of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences, 12(2), 472-486. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1531222
AMA
1.Ugondo PI, Gana VS. Framing the ’Deep Scars’ of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. İGÜSBD. 2025;12(2):472-486. doi:10.17336/igusbd.1531222
Chicago
Ugondo, Peter Iorper, ve Victor Stephen Gana. 2025. “Framing the ’Deep Scars’ of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 12 (2): 472-86. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1531222.
EndNote
Ugondo PI, Gana VS (01 Ekim 2025) Framing the ’Deep Scars’ of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 12 2 472–486.
IEEE
[1]P. I. Ugondo ve V. S. Gana, “Framing the ’Deep Scars’ of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria”, İGÜSBD, c. 12, sy 2, ss. 472–486, Eki. 2025, doi: 10.17336/igusbd.1531222.
ISNAD
Ugondo, Peter Iorper - Gana, Victor Stephen. “Framing the ’Deep Scars’ of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 12/2 (01 Ekim 2025): 472-486. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1531222.
JAMA
1.Ugondo PI, Gana VS. Framing the ’Deep Scars’ of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. İGÜSBD. 2025;12:472–486.
MLA
Ugondo, Peter Iorper, ve Victor Stephen Gana. “Framing the ’Deep Scars’ of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences, c. 12, sy 2, Ekim 2025, ss. 472-86, doi:10.17336/igusbd.1531222.
Vancouver
1.Peter Iorper Ugondo, Victor Stephen Gana. Framing the ’Deep Scars’ of Health Emergencies: Assessment of National Newspapers Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. İGÜSBD. 01 Ekim 2025;12(2):472-86. doi:10.17336/igusbd.1531222

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