| Abstract: |
It is a common saying that the youth of every nation remains not only the hub, but hope for continued existence of such nation. This aphorism, no doubt, is profoundly truthful, yet, when the same hub of the nation’s survival gets so addicted to drugs, sniffs and smokes away their lives, growth and survival becomes certainly difficult. Nigeria, today is indisputably at crossroads with the rate at which her youths get
utterly involved in drugs – this therefore raises so much concern, and consequently calls for attention. Anchored on the agenda setting and framing theory, this study employs content analysis research design to investigate the extent that two Nigerian newspapers, (Vanguard and Daily Trust) covered issues of drug abuse among the Nigerian youth. The study arrived at five findings. The first finding showed that news on drug abuse among youths were not regular subjects in Vanguard and Daily Trust, at least within the period of the study. The second finding revealed that the
newspaper did not give prominence to the activities and communication of drug abuse among Nigerian youths in terms of pattern of placement. The third finding showed that the nature of the newspapers’ coverage on drug abuse among Nigerian youths is significantly favourable. The fourth finding discovered that Vanguard and Daily Trust newspapers had their reports center particularly on legal/moral and health frames. The fifth finding showed that Vanguard and Daily Trust focused more on issues regarding law and enforcement, drug related damage and court trial.
Against the above findings therefore, the researchers concluded that despite the fact that Nigerian newspapers have given fair coverage to the issue of drug abuse, there still appears to be a gap that needs to be closed. The researchers consequently recommended that Nigerian newspapers intensify their commitment towards fighting drug abuse, through intensive and strategic reportage, as this will help elevate the
issue to a public agenda. |
