| Abstract: |
This study examined the coverage of Lakurawa terrorist
group activities by Nigerian newspapers, focusing on
Daily Trust, Vanguard, and Punch. Anchored on the
Agenda-Setting Theory and the Social Responsibility
Theory, the research adopted the content analysis method,
the work analysed 360 newspaper editions published
between November 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025.
Findings revealed that the Lakurawa terrorist group's
activities received frequent coverage, particularly in
November and December 2024, coinciding with
intensified attacks in northern Nigeria. However, 82% of
the stories appeared on inside pages, indicating low
prominence. Straight news reporting was the dominant
format (76%), with no editorials published during the
study period, reflecting a lack of institutional stance on the
issue. Additionally, 68% of the stories presented the
group's activities in a positive light, raising concerns about
framing and national security implications. These findings
aligned with prior studies that underscore the media's
crucial role in shaping public perception of terrorism but
also highlight persistent challenges in prioritising and
responsibly framing security-related news. The study
concluded that Nigerian newspapers, while active in
reporting terrorism, fall short in providing prominence and
editorial direction on such issues. The study recommended
that Nigerian newspapers should include editorials or
opinion pieces to contextualize terrorism-related news and
guide public discourse responsibly |
