Framing of Oil Spillage and Gas Flaring in Rivers State in Three Selected Nigerian Newspapers

Background: Oil spillage and gas flaring constitute some of the environmental pollutions confronting humanity, especially in oil producing countries and communities, like those in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This situation affects aquatic and human lives, with economic, social and health con...

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Main Authors: Ata-Awaji Reuben, Nyerhovwo MUOBOGHARE, Bassey IKOT-OSIN, Soibi ORUWARI, Etimbuk OBOT, Emmanuel Omula, Theresa LINUS, Peace OJONTA, Simon SHEYIGARI
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria 2025-06-01
Series:Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://iannajournalofinterdisciplinarystudies.com/index.php/1/article/view/972
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author Ata-Awaji Reuben
Nyerhovwo MUOBOGHARE
Bassey IKOT-OSIN
Soibi ORUWARI
Etimbuk OBOT
Emmanuel Omula
Theresa LINUS
Peace OJONTA
Simon SHEYIGARI
author_facet Ata-Awaji Reuben
Nyerhovwo MUOBOGHARE
Bassey IKOT-OSIN
Soibi ORUWARI
Etimbuk OBOT
Emmanuel Omula
Theresa LINUS
Peace OJONTA
Simon SHEYIGARI
author_sort Ata-Awaji Reuben
collection DOAJ
description Background: Oil spillage and gas flaring constitute some of the environmental pollutions confronting humanity, especially in oil producing countries and communities, like those in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This situation affects aquatic and human lives, with economic, social and health consequences. Amid these consequences, communication scholars are unanimous about the efficiency of framing of an issue such as oil spillage and gas flaring by the mass media on policy making and salvaging of situations. Objective: The study aimed at ascertaining how Punch, Vanguard and Daily Trust newspapers framed oil spillage and gas flaring in Rivers State, from January 2022 to December 2023. Methods: The study adopted content analysis as its research design, thus studying 504 editions of the newspapers selected through composite week sampling. The code sheet served as the instrument for data gathering. Result: The study found that opinions of experts on oil spillage and gas flaring in Rivers State were not given serious attention by the Punch, Vanguard, Daily Trust newspapers. The study has shown that geo-political depiction of Nigerian newspapers does not influence their framing of oil spillage and gas flaring, rather their editorial policy. Contribution: The study concludes that a more scientific approach to framing of environmental pollution in Nigeria has not been given serious attention to by newspapers in the country. Unique contribution: This study provides empirical evidence for understanding newspaper framing of environmental issues. Key recommendation: Nigerian newspapers should place importance on the opinions of environmental experts, as this will ensure that a more scientific approach is taken to framing oil spillage and gas flaring in the country. 
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publisher Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria
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spelling doaj-art-dde078d7735e4323a91c2de2f2ea14b52025-08-20T02:31:56ZengDepartment of Mass Communication, University of NigeriaIanna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies2735-98832735-98912025-06-0172Framing of Oil Spillage and Gas Flaring in Rivers State in Three Selected Nigerian NewspapersAta-Awaji Reuben0https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9750-8092Nyerhovwo MUOBOGHARE1https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3458-1332Bassey IKOT-OSIN2https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9124-7184Soibi ORUWARI3https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6858-8757Etimbuk OBOT4https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9317-1575Emmanuel Omula5https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8450-8369Theresa LINUS 6https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1320-9934Peace OJONTA7https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1267-8165Simon SHEYIGARI8https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6789-7211Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State Delta State University, AbrakaUniversity of Nigeria, NsukkaUniversity of Port HarcourtInstitute for Legislative Studies, AbujaTopfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom StateTopfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom StateUniversity of Nigeria, NsukkaFederal University Lokoja Background: Oil spillage and gas flaring constitute some of the environmental pollutions confronting humanity, especially in oil producing countries and communities, like those in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This situation affects aquatic and human lives, with economic, social and health consequences. Amid these consequences, communication scholars are unanimous about the efficiency of framing of an issue such as oil spillage and gas flaring by the mass media on policy making and salvaging of situations. Objective: The study aimed at ascertaining how Punch, Vanguard and Daily Trust newspapers framed oil spillage and gas flaring in Rivers State, from January 2022 to December 2023. Methods: The study adopted content analysis as its research design, thus studying 504 editions of the newspapers selected through composite week sampling. The code sheet served as the instrument for data gathering. Result: The study found that opinions of experts on oil spillage and gas flaring in Rivers State were not given serious attention by the Punch, Vanguard, Daily Trust newspapers. The study has shown that geo-political depiction of Nigerian newspapers does not influence their framing of oil spillage and gas flaring, rather their editorial policy. Contribution: The study concludes that a more scientific approach to framing of environmental pollution in Nigeria has not been given serious attention to by newspapers in the country. Unique contribution: This study provides empirical evidence for understanding newspaper framing of environmental issues. Key recommendation: Nigerian newspapers should place importance on the opinions of environmental experts, as this will ensure that a more scientific approach is taken to framing oil spillage and gas flaring in the country.  https://iannajournalofinterdisciplinarystudies.com/index.php/1/article/view/972flaringframinggasnewspaperOil Spillage
spellingShingle Ata-Awaji Reuben
Nyerhovwo MUOBOGHARE
Bassey IKOT-OSIN
Soibi ORUWARI
Etimbuk OBOT
Emmanuel Omula
Theresa LINUS
Peace OJONTA
Simon SHEYIGARI
Framing of Oil Spillage and Gas Flaring in Rivers State in Three Selected Nigerian Newspapers
Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies
flaring
framing
gas
newspaper
Oil Spillage
title Framing of Oil Spillage and Gas Flaring in Rivers State in Three Selected Nigerian Newspapers
title_full Framing of Oil Spillage and Gas Flaring in Rivers State in Three Selected Nigerian Newspapers
title_fullStr Framing of Oil Spillage and Gas Flaring in Rivers State in Three Selected Nigerian Newspapers
title_full_unstemmed Framing of Oil Spillage and Gas Flaring in Rivers State in Three Selected Nigerian Newspapers
title_short Framing of Oil Spillage and Gas Flaring in Rivers State in Three Selected Nigerian Newspapers
title_sort framing of oil spillage and gas flaring in rivers state in three selected nigerian newspapers
topic flaring
framing
gas
newspaper
Oil Spillage
url https://iannajournalofinterdisciplinarystudies.com/index.php/1/article/view/972
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