Media content analysis of the news of the establishment of the ministry of livestock development in selected Nigerian newspapers

Abstract

A media content analysis of news published between July 10 and October 31, 2024, was carried out following the official announcement of the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) by the President. The study assessed the frequency of reportage, article types, prominence, tone, and space allotment accorded to the establishment of the Ministry in the selected newspapers. Thirty-seven editions of the selected newspapers were used. Findings reveal that Guardian (32.4%) and  Punch (29.7%) recorded the highest frequency of reportage. Types of articles were dominated by straight news reports (37.8%) and editorials (18.9%). Placement of the articles was mostly on inner pages (70.3%), while the tone of reportage was predominantly neutral (40.5%). Space allotment across all selected newspapers during the period was 17,890.33cm² in total. There was no significant difference in the amount of space allocated to news on the establishment of the Ministry across the selected newspapers (p = 0.413). Newspaper coverage of the establishment of the FMLD was characterized by low frequency, dominance of straight news formats, limited prominence, a predominantly neutral tone, and modest space allocation. Nigerian newspapers should accord greater prominence to agricultural development policies through increased analytical, feature, and development-oriented reporting.