| Title: |
Analysis of Daily Sun, Guardian and Vanguard Newspapers Coverage of Methamphetamine Consumption Among Nigerian Youths |
| Author(s): |
Ikegbunam Peter Chierike, Obiakor Casmir Uchenna, Raji Rafiatu Anike & Ezeonwuka Chidiebere Obianuju |
| Abstract: |
Consumption of Methamphetamine by the Nigerian youth is a serious danger to the lives of consumers as well as the entire society. Its economic, health and social implications are generally negative to the society at large. As partners in social rehabilitation and attitude change advocate, the news media are expected to devout space to educate the masses on the dangers of consumption of Methamphetamine and other related substances. In line with the contributions of the press for a drug free society, this study examined the newspaper coverage of Methamphetamine consumption among youths with a view to ascertaining the dominant implication and control measure of Methamphetamine consumption presented to the masses by the select newspapers within the period of six months.
The study was based on the social responsibility and agenda setting theories of the press. Findings of this content analytical study of Daily Sun, Guardian and Vanguard newspapers revealed that the dominant implication of Methamphetamine consumption presented in the select newspapers was the health implication while the major control measure was parental upbringing and self-control. Findings also revealed that relative source of news dominated the coverage instead of expert source whereas the major cause of Methamphetamine production, importation and distribution which is drug regulation failure was downplayed in the media reports. It was recommended that the news media should deal more with expert sources rather than family and relative source. As
well, the study recommended that rather than blaming the parents and the victims, the media should look at institutional failure that led to production, importation and distribution of Methamphetamine in Nigeria. |
| Keywords: |
Methamphetamine, health implication, Newspapers, coverage, institutional failure
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