Chinonye Faith Chinedu-Okeke, Chioma Ifeoma Agbasimelo, Ijeoma Obi and Timothy Ekeledirichukwu Onyejelem
Background: This study examined the Nigerian newspapers’ coverage on the fight against COVID-19 using the Guardian, Daily Sun, Daily Trust, and This Day Newspapers as a study. This study was anchored on McComb and Shaw’s agenda- setting theory which describes the "ability (of the news media) to influence the salience of topics on the public agenda". The theory was used to facilitate the understanding of the level of newspapers coverage on COVID-19 prevention and control in Nigeria.
Method: Using content analysis, the study analysed the COVID-19 reports published in the three selected Nigerian newspapers from March 2020 to July 2020 to determine their level of coverage, prominence and reportorial approaches given to COVID-19 issues in Nigeria.
Results: The analysed data shows that Nigerian newspapers gave wide coverage to COVID-19 issues. The study also found that majority of COVID-19 coverage and reports in the selected Nigerian dailies were published in the forms of hard news, features and editorials. Considering the news placement, space allocated for the news and frequency of report of such issues in the selected newspapers, the study therefore concludes that though Nigerian newspapers gave a wide coverage to COVID-19 issues, they do not give a significant prominence to COVID-19 pandemic in the count
Conclusion: Based on the research findings, the study therefore recommends that the Nigerian newspapers should intensify publications on COVID-19 in Nigeria so as to further sensitize the public on COVID-19 menace.
