International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Nigeria has a long history of violence and instability, characterised by poverty, social unrest, insurgency, communal conflicts, banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism. The media's role in reporting conflict has attracted considerable scholarly attention, with many researchers advocating a shift from war journalism to peace journalism. Despite the growing body of literature, there remains a gap in understanding how Nigerian newspapers frame insecurity from the perspective of conflict-sensitive journalism. This study addresses that gap.
Objective: This study examined how three Nigerian newspapers—Punch, Nigerian Tribune, and Daily Trust—reported insecurity in Nigeria between January and June 2022.
Method: The study adopted a quantitative content analysis design, guided by Framing Theory. Using purposive sampling and the Krejcie and Morgan sample size table, 226 newspaper editions were selected from a population of 549 editions published during the study period. Individual newspaper stories constituted the unit of analysis and were coded across ten content categories, including story genre, story placement, depth of coverage, type of insecurity, gender focus, and tone of reportage. These categories enabled a systematic assessment of how the selected newspapers framed insecurity issues during the six-month period. Results: The findings indicate that although the newspapers devoted considerable attention to insecurity-related issues, the majority of reports were straight news stories with limited depth. Most stories occupied quarter-page spaces and were characterised by predominantly negative or harsh tones, reflecting widespread concern over the deteriorating security situation.
Conclusion: The study concludes that the selected newspapers have yet to provide sufficiently in-depth reporting on insecurity issues. Their heavy reliance on straight news stories limits comprehensive public understanding of the complexities surrounding insecurity in Nigeria.
Unique Contribution: This study provides empirical evidence demonstrating that Nigerian newspapers continue to rely predominantly on routine news reporting rather than investigative reports, editorials, feature articles, and analytical pieces in their coverage of insecurity. The findings contribute to the growing literature on conflict-sensitive journalism and offer evidence-based recommendations for media practitioners, policymakers, and journalism educators.
Key Recommendation: Nigerian newspapers should move beyond predominantly event-based reporting by embracing conflict-sensitive journalism that incorporates investigative reporting, editorials, feature stories, and analytical commentaries. Media organisations, policymakers, and journalism educators should also collaborate in strengthening journalists' capacity to adopt ethical, responsible, and peace-oriented reporting practices capable of promoting informed public discourse and contributing to conflict resolution.