Project Abstract

This study aims to examine the newspaper coverage of foreign news in Nigeria through a content analysis of two prominent newspapers, Daily Champion and Vanguard. Foreign news coverage is a crucial aspect of journalism as it provides readers with information about events and developments outside their immediate environment, thereby contributing to their understanding of global issues. The research will analyze the content of the selected newspapers to determine the extent to which foreign news is covered, the geographical focus of the coverage, the types of foreign news stories that are prioritized, and the framing of foreign news stories. By comparing the coverage of foreign news in Daily Champion and Vanguard, the study seeks to identify any differences in the quantity and nature of foreign news presented by the two newspapers. Content analysis is the chosen methodology for this research, as it allows for the systematic and objective examination of the content of newspapers. The study will involve the collection of data from the selected newspapers over a specified period, which will then be analyzed to identify patterns and trends in the coverage of foreign news. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the extent and nature of foreign news coverage in Nigerian newspapers, as well as the factors that may influence the selection and presentation of foreign news stories. Understanding how foreign news is covered in Nigerian newspapers is important for several reasons. It can shed light on the media's role in shaping public perceptions of global events, influencing foreign policy decisions, and promoting cross-cultural understanding. Furthermore, the study will contribute to the existing body of research on media coverage of foreign news in developing countries, particularly in the African context. By focusing on two specific newspapers in Nigeria, the research will provide a detailed and nuanced analysis of foreign news coverage within the country's media landscape. Overall, this research project will offer valuable insights into the role of Nigerian newspapers in informing their readers about global events and issues. By analyzing the coverage of foreign news in Daily Champion and Vanguard, the study will contribute to a better understanding of how foreign news is presented and framed in the Nigerian media.

Project Overview

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The concept of news, journalism and freedom of press have for many years now been a major sources of disagreement between developing countries eg. African and developed nations of the world. Developing countries often feel ill served by the western news media claiming that foreign writers distrust the story about African growth and development or at times failed to report it at all.

The developing nation at other hand often see the developing nation as hindering the report of news. Members often from the news media in industrialized nations say a free press as it existed in the United States of America (U.S.A) and Great Britain is virtually unknown in Africa and other part of the developing countries. They argue that information and communication has a vital note to play in the development of any nation.

          In about mid 70s, there was a cry over the poor coverage of event in the industrialized world by the African press while the African press has said the same thing about the industrialized world. As a result of this problem, the maintenance of an open flow of information across national boundaries lies assists to create and maintain a source of nations hood, it also perform development task such as improving educational, health care delivery, science and technology, political stability and offers inter-cultural information. It also help information public opinion as well as acts as a form of entertainment. It also acts as watch dog on government in a country where such is permitted.

          The developed countries have been accusing the third world. They claim that the third world countries used their media primarily for economic and social development and to promote the government inn power. These arguments have had poor coverage of foreign event by many newspapers.

          They argue further that news about developed countries are often published negatively and started to suit the ideology of the third world news agencies. The nature of news is always changing as a result of national interest and standards are always changing and because of this, the structure of news for the developing nation’s especially African countries must be redefined to reflect the effort being made by different government in Africa to transform their societies.

          The Western definition of news on the other hand emphasizes on events that is out of the ordinary, exceptional, existing, sensational of “man-biting the day” varieties. This concept of news has influenced Western consensus.

          Sequel to this 1997 meeting was a new international commission on communication problem was set up. The commission was headed by Seen Macbridge, former risk foreign Minister. The commission submitted its reports in 1990.

          However, apart form the commission’s recommendation, the committee was surprise after analyzing the content of the third world newspaper to team that the developed countries newspaper radio and television ahs the same bias reportage of foreign events. The developed nation argues that the bulk of information said to developing nations were saluted to suit the power that be.

          In addition to that, the commission pointed out that there is a tendency for journalists in developing countries to write in a manner in which facts are distorted to perpetuate pejorative attitude and also to use terms that is dividing and insulting.

          The study therefore analyze the coverage of foreign news by Daily Champion and vanguard newspaper to see whether the two dailies has the same reportorial bias as was discovered by the international commission on communication problem.