PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF EBOLA EPIDEMIC OUTBREAK IN NIGERIA

PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF EBOLA EPIDEMIC OUTBREAK IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The indispensable role of newspaper as a lamp of enlightenment to the people could have inspired the third president of the U.S. Thomas Jefferson‟s popular and timeless remark cited by Ndolo (2006:
39), “were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the later.” The above statement obviously underscores the value universally placed on newspapers as a melting pot for all sorts of beneficial messages. Newspapers perform many important functions in the Nigerian society. Esimokha (2011:
10-11) notes that newspapers serve the public by keeping readers informed, entertaining readers, informing authorities of the needs of the public, educating readers and helping readers live more comfortable. Anaeto, Solo-Anaeto and Tejumaiye (2009) as cited by Agbanu (2013:
79) contends that newspapers provide the news of the day…It brings to the readers recent information and provides them with what is happening around them. While Chowdhury (2014) posits that the function of the media is to observe the society closely and continuously warn about threatening actions to the mass audience that are likely to happen in future in order to decrease the possible loss. Therefore, in modern society, newspapers provide people with everyday intelligence and serve as mirrors and guardians of society. Uwom (2012) Agbana and Usman (2014:
131) stated: Media coverage can influence individual health decisions, prevent disease, and lead to changes in public policy and public perception (Stryker, Moriarty and Jenson, 2008). Ukonu (2013), A Legacy of Modern Civilization Newspapers have always been conscious of their sacred social responsibility.

Newspapers have been hailed as the conscience of modern society. Coordinates social communications and provides significant control over other institutions in the country. Few other institutions match newspapers in their sphere of social influence. On the other hand, one of the tenets of social responsibility theory is that media outlets should serve the public interest. It therefore assumes that newspapers must have a social conscience and be committed to their communities and public service. They have to deal with social issues. In addition, the news media “must be held accountable to the audience for the duty of proper reporting, analysis and editing” (Owens-Ibie, 1994). Embracing the noble profession of journalism, therefore, means embracing its mission to contribute to the progress of society and to care for the interests of society and the well-being of its people.

In his 21st century Nigeria’s print media industry growth driven by the high cost of print, low purchasing power of the average Nigerian, lack of funding, the proliferation of FM stations and the advent of social media and online newspapers and magazines. despite the hardships. The newspaper seems to have lost none of its appeal as it is frequently referred by Nigerians for comprehensive, reliable, accurate and authoritative information during national emergencies and crises. These enduring attributes of newspapers derive from the inherent strength of resources and subject space that allow them to bring depth and breadth to their articles. This provides readers with a richer, more informative, more analytical, and more descriptive story.

1.2 Problem Description

Critics of the Nigerian press believe that Nigerian newspapers are highly biased when it comes to reporting on political and related issues that revolve around the activities of the government and its institutions. However, the Ebola virus disease outbreak in the country briefly appeared to reverse that trend. To examine the extent of coverage of the virus outbreak and the direction or trends in news presentation by the Nigerian press.

1.3 Purpose of the survey

The purpose of the survey is to:

1. To determine the extent of coverage of Ebola virus disease by the Nigerian press. 2. To examine the direction and trends of reporting on Ebola virus disease by the Nigerian press.

1.4 Research question

The following research questions form the framework for this research.

1. How extensive is the coverage of the Ebola virus disease outbreak by the Nigerian press?

2. What is the direction/inclination of the news presentation by the Nigerian media regarding the Ebola virus disease outbreak?

1.5 Scope of investigation

This study attempts to explain the public perception of newspaper coverage of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria.

1.6 Importance of research

This study shows that the press fulfills its social obligations and is responsible for the safety and general well-being of members of society. Furthermore, the survey highlights one of the fundamental roles of the media as a provider of information to help people live meaningful and comfortable lives.