COVERAGE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF MEDIA REPRESENTATION AND PUBLIC DISCOURSE
Abstract
Gender-based violence (GBV) represents a pervasive human rights violation, disproportionately affecting women and girls worldwide, with a significant prevalence in Nigeria. This study critically examines the representation of GBV in Nigerian newspapers, focusing on The Nation and The Guardian. It analyzes the frequency, framing, and thematic focus of coverage from August to October 2023, highlighting how media narratives shape public perception and policy discourse. Employing content analysis, the research reveals a predominance of incident-driven reporting, with domestic and sexual violence being the most commonly reported themes. However, the study identifies significant gaps in advocacy, policy discussions, and systemic analyses, compounded by sensationalism and occasional victim-blaming in narratives. The findings underscore the critical role of newspapers in shaping societal attitudes and advocate for more ethical, balanced, and advocacy-driven reporting. This research contributes to the discourse on media accountability and offers recommendations for enhancing the role of journalism in combating GBV and fostering societal change.
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