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Diseases in the Tabloids: Mapping Newspaper Narratives on Lassa Fever Epidemic in Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua Aghogho Erubami
  • Patience Elohor Oziwele
  • Edith Ugochi Ohaja
  • Martins Ndubisi Ezugwu
  • Uchenna Chijindu Anorue

Abstract

Lassa fever is a recurrent endemic disease in Nigeria with increasing seroprevalence in many parts of the country. In the absence of effective preventive vaccines, the mass media are being deployed as independent and complementary interventions to sensitise the public on appropriate measures for mitigating the spread of the disease. This study evaluates the different coverage patterns and frames that dominate newspaper narratives on Lassa fever epidemic in Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 420 editions of six leading Nigerian newspapers published between January 2015 and December 2019. Findings showed that although the epidemic was frequently mentioned in newspaper articles, its coverage was mainly episodic with little media prominence, and its framing was too inadequate to compel the desired public health response. Hence, the study recommends that journalists and newspaper editors must dutifully engage in the publication of Lassa fever outbreak preparedness articles to significantly curb the spread of the disease in Nigeria.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Aghogho Erubami & Patience Elohor Oziwele & Edith Ugochi Ohaja & Martins Ndubisi Ezugwu & Uchenna Chijindu Anorue, 2021. "Diseases in the Tabloids: Mapping Newspaper Narratives on Lassa Fever Epidemic in Nigeria," Studies in Media and Communication, Redfame publishing, vol. 9(2), pages 95-103, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:rfa:smcjnl:v:9:y:2021:i:2:p:95-103
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gollust, Sarah E. & Lantz, Paula M., 2009. "Communicating population health: Print news media coverage of type 2 diabetes," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(7), pages 1091-1098, October.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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