NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF RAPE CASES IN NIGERIA: STUDY OF FOUR NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS

Abstract

Rape is a non-consensual sexual acts, a serious violation of consent and a criminal offense under Nigerian law. This pervasive issue has developed into a national crisis, encompassing not only physical but also sexual assault. Within the realm of crime communication, the media shoulders the responsibility of consistently reporting and depicting instances of moral decadence, rape, with the aim of preventing future occurrences. This study explores the nuances of how selected newspapers in Nigeria cover rape cases, employing the theoretical frameworks of Agenda Setting and Gate-Keeping. A content analysis was conducted on 313 editions of prominent Nigerian newspapers, namely the Punch, the Guardian, The Nation, and the Sun. The data reveal that straight news predominated over other forms of reporting. The majority of stories found placement on inside pages rather than the front pages. In terms of tone, a significant proportion of the stories carried a positive slant, with a substantial number attributing the incidents to the Nigerian Police Force. In light of these findings, this study recommends that newspaper organizations should amplify their coverage of rape cases. The media should ensure the conduct of deeper investigation into each rape case. Also, they should pay more attention to facilitating a better understanding and follow-up the case. Prominence should be given to rape cases to foster awareness and encourage proactive measures against this societal scourge.