NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AND FRAMING OF KOGI STATE 2023 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION – A STUDY OF THE PUNCH AND THE GRAPHIC NEWSPAPER

Politics and media coverage in Nigeria are closely intertwined, with the media playing a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing political discourse. This study examined The Punch and The Graphic framing in the coverage of Kogi State 2023 governorship election by assessing the prominence given to various candidates and parties, the bias in the coverage and the dominant frames of the election by The Graphic and The Punch. Framing and Agenda Setting theories were used to explain the study, after conceptual and empirical reviews. The study adopted content analysis research design with population of 209 editions of the selected newspaper published in Nigeria within six (6) months period; June 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023. Using a constructed week technique, the study arrived at a sample of 136 editions of the newspapers using the Krejcie and Morgan formula for sample size determination. Coding sheet was used to collect data from the publications, which were analyzed using tables and simple percentages. The study found out that high prominence was accorded more by The Graphic than The Punch newspaper in reporting 2023 Kogi state governorship election as analysis showed front pages domination. Also, both selected newspapers reported stories of 2023 Kogi state governorship election in favourable slants. In identifying dominant frames, analysis revealed that majority of the stories related to 2023 Kogi State governorship election was framed as national interest. Hence, it was recommended amongst others that newspapers should explore options when covering political events.