Thesis Abstract

This study examines the newspaper coverage of foreign news in Nigeria, focusing on a content analysis of two prominent newspapers, Daily Champion and Vanguard. The research seeks to investigate how these newspapers present and prioritize foreign news stories to their readers. Content analysis will be used as the research method to analyze a sample of foreign news articles published in both newspapers over a specific time period. The study aims to explore the themes, sources, and framing of foreign news stories in the selected newspapers. By examining the content of foreign news coverage, the research will provide insights into the extent of diversity, depth, and accuracy of information presented to the Nigerian audience. Additionally, the study will investigate whether there are any biases or preferences in the selection and presentation of foreign news by the newspapers. The research will contribute to the existing literature on media representation of foreign news in Nigeria, offering a detailed analysis of the strategies employed by Daily Champion and Vanguard in reporting on global events. Understanding how foreign news is covered in Nigerian newspapers is essential for evaluating the media's role in shaping public perceptions and attitudes towards international affairs. The findings of this study will have implications for media practitioners, policymakers, and the general public. By identifying patterns and trends in the coverage of foreign news, the research will provide valuable insights into the factors influencing news selection and presentation in Nigerian newspapers. This can help media organizations improve their journalistic practices and enhance the quality of foreign news reporting. Overall, this research seeks to shed light on the newspaper coverage of foreign news in Nigeria and contribute to a better understanding of how global events are portrayed in the local media. By examining the content, themes, and framing of foreign news stories in Daily Champion and Vanguard, the study aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the representation of international affairs in Nigerian newspapers.

Thesis Overview

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The concept of news, journalism and freedom of press have for many years now been a major sources of disagreement between developing countries eg. African and developed nations of the world. Developing countries often feel ill served by the western news media claiming that foreign writers distrust the story about African growth and development or at times failed to report it at all.

The developing nation at other hand often see the developing nation as hindering the report of news. Members often from the news media in industrialized nations say a free press as it existed in the United States of America (U.S.A) and Great Britain is virtually unknown in Africa and other part of the developing countries. They argue that information and communication has a vital note to play in the development of any nation.

          In about mid 70s, there was a cry over the poor coverage of event in the industrialized world by the African press while the African press has said the same thing about the industrialized world. As a result of this problem, the maintenance of an open flow of information across national boundaries lies assists to create and maintain a source of nations hood, it also perform development task such as improving educational, health care delivery, science and technology, political stability and offers inter-cultural information. It also help information public opinion as well as acts as a form of entertainment. It also acts as watch dog on government in a country where such is permitted.

          The developed countries have been accusing the third world. They claim that the third world countries used their media primarily for economic and social development and to promote the government inn power. These arguments have had poor coverage of foreign event by many newspapers.

          They argue further that news about developed countries are often published negatively and started to suit the ideology of the third world news agencies. The nature of news is always changing as a result of national interest and standards are always changing and because of this, the structure of news for the developing nation’s especially African countries must be redefined to reflect the effort being made by different government in Africa to transform their societies.

          The Western definition of news on the other hand emphasizes on events that is out of the ordinary, exceptional, existing, sensational of “man-biting the day” varieties. This concept of news has influenced Western consensus.

          Sequel to this 1997 meeting was a new international commission on communication problem was set up. The commission was headed by Seen Macbridge, former risk foreign Minister. The commission submitted its reports in 1990.

          However, apart form the commission’s recommendation, the committee was surprise after analyzing the content of the third world newspaper to team that the developed countries newspaper radio and television ahs the same bias reportage of foreign events. The developed nation argues that the bulk of information said to developing nations were saluted to suit the power that be.

          In addition to that, the commission pointed out that there is a tendency for journalists in developing countries to write in a manner in which facts are distorted to perpetuate pejorative attitude and also to use terms that is dividing and insulting.

          The study therefore analyze the coverage of foreign news by Daily Champion and vanguard newspaper to see whether the two dailies has the same reportorial bias as was discovered by the international commission on communication problem.