AN ANALYSIS OF SELECTED ONLINE NEWSPAPER FRAMING OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF PUNCH AND GUARDIAN

Abstract

This study is a content analytical work of Online newspaper framing of Private Universities in Nigeria. The general objective is to ascertain the print media framing of private owned universities in Nigeria. The work is anchored on framing theory. The investigation focused on Punch and Vanguard Newspapers owing to their constant reportage of Private universities and wide coverage. The constant frames used by these media outlets were analysed to find the dominant frames and interpretation such frames could have on the general public. A major concentration of the inquiry focused on the frames used in the reportage within a specific constructive week between January to December, 2021. A code sheet was designed in line with the code guide. A total of 146 Newspapers were sampled. 73 editions were used in a constructed week from the selected dailies. The data gathered were thereafter presented and interpreted descriptively in tables. The results showed that Private Universities issues were framed in bias manners by the Newspapers to negatively influence public perception and opinions. Hence, the inquiry recommends objective observance as the most critical ethical consideration editors and reporters should bear in mind while executing their journalistic tasks. Importantly, the impact of private universities in Nigeria in absorbing the annual teaming admission seekers in the face of perennial Academic Staff Union of Universities and Non-Academic Staff of Universities (ASUU and NASU) strikes should be applauded. The impact and decongesting and engaging teeming JAMBITES should be referenced in the history of a successful education harmony. The study advocates for intentionality balance and fairness of journalists as opinion shaping agents of societies. Thorough research should be the outstanding character every journalist and in-depth investigative reportage that shuns all forms of subjective approach should be encouraged.