Exploring The Framing Of Covid-19 In Nigerian Newspapers: Implication For Public Health Behaviour
1. Femi Oloruntoba, 2. Terver Jime
Volume 6, Issue 1, April 2026
This study explores the framing of COVID-19 as they appeared in Nigerian newspapers and its implications for public health behavior. The media plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions and behaviours during health crisis, and understanding how covid-19 was framed in Nigerian newspapers can provide insights into the country’s response to the pandemic. Using a mixed approach, this study utilised content analysis as primary source of data from four Nigerian daily newspapers, covering the period from February 2020 to February 2022 on a sample size of 381 stories. The study examined the pattern of frames employed, sources utilised on the covid-19 coverage and explores the implications for public health behaviour, 386 questionnaire were analysed. This study leaned on Framing Theory. Findings showed that reports on treatment of COVID-19 were mostly covered by newspapers. The study also found that the newspaper influence for public behaviour occurred through mask wearing, social distancing and hygienic practices. Newspapers made use of framing patterns in the coverage of covid-19. It was also found that newspapers were motivated in fulfilling its obligation of the watch dog of the society by the desire to interpret as well as provide additional information on COVID-19. The study among others recommended that newspapers must design feedback mechanisms after campaigns to be able to measure success or otherwise of campaigns as it would serve as a good reference point for subsequent campaigns. Newspaper managers and editors should ensure that their content gives a proper understanding of issues reported as many readers make decision based on how much content is contextualized.