Newspaper Framing of Blasphemy Crisis in Northern Nigeria: A Study of Daily Trust and the Punch Newspapers

Abstract

Newspapers play a significant role in shaping public perception and discourse during conflict or crisis situations, particularly through their framing and reportage of sensitive issues such as blasphemy. This study examined the portrayal of blasphemy incidents in Northern Nigeria by national dailies, focusing on Daily Trust and The Punch newspapers. One of the key objectives of the study was to ascertain the various frames employed by the selected newspapers in their coverage of blasphemy incidents in Northern Nigeria, among others. Content analysis was the research method adopted, used to examine 54 editions of the two newspapers sampled between January and June 2022. A composite sampling technique was employed to arrive at the 54 editions 27 from each newspaper. This technique was applied consistently across each of the six months studied for both newspapers. Findings revealed that the selected newspapers did not provide adequate coverage of blasphemy incidents in the northern region during the study period. The dominant frames they employed were the condemnation frame, religious frame, and visible effects frame. Based on these key findings, the study concluded that the selected newspapers did not do enough to create awareness or sensitise the public to the menace of blasphemy, particularly in Northern Nigeria. The paper recommended, among other things, that the media should consistently sensitise the public to the dangers of religious crises in order to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.