NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL POLICY OF PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU: A STUDY OF THE GUARDIAN, PUNCH AND THE NATION NEWSPAPERS [MAY 2023 - MAY 2024]

The media plays a pivotal role in shaping public understanding and reactions to significant policy changes in Nigeria, such as the removal of fuel subsidies. This study examines the coverage of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's subsidy removal policy by three major Nigerian newspapers: The Guardian, Punch, and The Nation. The objectives include analyzing their reporting styles, editorial stances, and framing techniques, as well as evaluating the influence of media ownership on content biases. Using quantitative content analysis, a sample of 360 articles was selected through stratified random sampling. The study employed coding sheets to analyze thematic focus, tone, and framing patterns. Findings revealed that while The Guardian emphasized social impacts with a critical stance, Punch focused on political implications with balanced analysis, and The Nation highlighted economic justifications with a supportive editorial tone. These differences illustrate the newspapers' roles as agenda-setters, influenced by ownership dynamics and audience priorities. The study underscores the media's significant impact on public discourse and policy acceptance, advocating for responsible journalism that promotes informed public engagement. Insights from this research are invaluable for media practitioners, policymakers, and scholars seeking to understand the interplay between media narratives and public opinion on economic policies in Nigeria.