Nigerian Newspaper Reportage of Rape Cases and Implications in Curtailing the Menace

Abstract

This study has been carried out to examine Nigerian newspapers’ reportage of rape cases and analyse their implications with a view to curtailing the menace. The study adopted the qualitative research approach in obtaining opinions from respondents. Convenience sampling method was adopted to determine the size of the study population. Data were collected qualitatively from four sampled newspapers, Leadership, Daily Trust, Vanguard, and Guardian newspapers. Content analysis was used in the data analysis of the study. Findings from the study revealed that most Nigerian newspapers seldom report rape cases. Leadership and Daily Trust newspapers, however, topped the list of Nigerian newspapers in the reportage of rape cases. Findings of the study further revealed that Nigerian newspapers report cases of rape in straight news form, while most cases of rape as reported by the Nigerian newspapers have their origin or source from the relations of victims which include victims parents, aunts, uncles, etc. The study also found that in most of the
cases of rape the innocence frame is the most predominantly used form of reportage of rape cases in Nigeria as the rape victims are portrayed as innocent of the crime committed against them. The study therefore, concluded that cases bordering on rape are reported by Nigerian newspapers but the degree of coverage by the four selected Nigerian newspapers is minimal. Based on the findings, the study recommended that newspapers should improve on their source selection to ensure that official sources are well represented on matters regarding rape cases to draw the attention of the authorities to the matter.