A comparative analysis of Punch and Guardian newspapers coverage of food insecurity in Nigeria

The mass media play indisputable role in shaping public discourse and policy formation around national issues. Among these national issues is food insecurity. This study investigates mass media's coverage of food insecurity in Nigeria, examining its portrayal and implications for public debate and policy agendas. Guided by Agenda-setting and Framing theories, the research employs quantitative content analysis to analyze coverage in Punch and Guardian Newspapers throughout 2023. The population comprises all issues published by both newspapers, totaling 730 editions. Purposive sampling based on national coverage was employed, with data collected using coding sheets to analyze variables such as story type, prominence, slant, and sources. Reliability was ensured through inter-coder reliability tests. Key findings indicate Guardian Newspaper's higher volume of articles on food insecurity, leveraging its agricultural section extensively. Both newspapers predominantly feature news stories. Guardian focused heavily on feature news stories (82.05 %), while Punch includes investigative/special reports alongside news (19.23 %). Both newspapers consistently place food insecurity stories on inside pages (Punch: 84.62 %, Guardian: 100 %), with occasional front-page placements by Punch (9.62 %). The study highlights a reliance on textual content and foregrounds the importance of enhancing visual storytelling strategies. Punch tends to report more unfavourable stories (59.62 %) compared to Guardian's balanced mix of unfavourable (33.33 %), neutral (38.46 %), and favourable (28.21 %) perspectives. The researchers recommend diversifying sources, improving visual representation, and strategically placing stories to enhance public awareness and policy impact. Future research could explore reader responses and extend the study to include broader media analysis and cross-cultural comparisons.