| Abstract: |
The Biafra question remains a watershed in Nigeria’s history, with the acrimony that followed the 1967-70 civil war. The issue of Biafra has come to fore again with neo-Biafra agitations where the mass media are pivotal to the escalation or de-escalation of this conflict. The media among other techniques use media frame to present issues with the intent of making the readers view the issue in a particular perspective. The study enquired into frame types, frames sources, editorial formats, media functions and the portrayal of neo-Biafra agitators in the selected newspapers. Framing theory was used for investigation. The content analysis study design was used as it helps to provide data to measure an ongoing phenomenon .A period of three months (September to November 2015) was selected. Two newspapers (Guardian and Nigerian Tribune) were purposively selected. Findings revealed that the Guardian newspaper preferred thematic frames in the coverage of the Neo-Biafra agitations, while Tribune preferred episodic frames. Dominant frame sources for both newspapers were Own Correspondents, followed by Public Affairs Analysts. Tribune had more stories that portrayed Biafra agitators negatively than Guardian. Both newspapers preferred news reports to other editorial formats .They were mainly framed by both newspapers as Biafra agitators, then as saboteurs and separatists and minimally as marginalized, neglected or/disadvantaged .There is a need for media practitioners to be retrained on the appropriate techniques to be used in the coverage of conflict and other social upheavals in order to serve as early warning signs to all stakeholders. |
