TOPIC: PRESS COVERAGE OF THE EXPANDED

PROGRAMME ON IMMUNIZATION IN NIGERIA

AKINYELE VICTORIA OLAYINKA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

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 Immunization is a very critical factor in the prevention of many children ailment

including those that threaten the major development of the child like polio. The main

objective of immunization is the reduction of childhood morbidity and mortality

through adequate immunization of risk populations. It is a prevention intervention

in child-related illness. As a result, the federal government in conjunction will all,

tiers of governments pursue all strategies to improve and sustain routine

immunization. This was the objectives of the recent immunization drive which

aimed at achieving through quality supplemental activities interruption of polio

transmission and total eradication by the end of 2020.

To create awareness and knowledge with regard to the immunization drive, the

media must participate in the dissemination of information Odoemelam et al (2014)

have observed that part of the global action plan to achieve reduction in child-health

challenges and reduce mortality rate involves the participation of the media in setting

agenda for discourse on child health issues. Perhaps the most powerful role of the

media is setting the appropriate agenda in the goal of prevention, care and support

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in health related issues, especially gives that the way a problem is defined determines

the way the people try to solve it.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Statistics have shown that Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with

a population size of about 170- million in 2015. Women of reproductive age and

children under 5 years of age make up over 40% of the nation's total population. But

deaths among these population sub groups account for about 60-70% of all deaths

in the country and are among the highest in the world. Equally, Infant mortality rate

(IMR) of 96 per 1,000 live births and in under five mortality rate (U-5MR) of 186

per 1,000 children aged 1-5 years as provided by (UNICEF, 2008).

Clinically, baseline evidence shows that since the introduction of vaccines for

polio immunization and the corresponding of vaccines for polio awareness

campaigns, many serious illness have been brought under control. Paralytic polio for

example has been reduced and small pox no longer threatens the global s population

(WHO, 2000). Thus, it is very clear that achieving effective National programme on

immunization in the country without adequate press mobilization of the key

stakeholders is impossible.

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 However, available literature shows that most Nigerians newspaper give much

attentive to political issues and less attention to development issues such as health

information based on empirical research on the status of press coverage of

immunization in Nigeria is necessary if Nigeria want to achieve sustain

developments. It is therefore these gape that this study seeks to fill.

1.3 Objectives of the Study.

1. To find out the level of importance the newspapers placed on the coverage of

immunization programmes from January 2019 - January 2020.

2. To analyse the patterns and difference in the coverage of immunization by the

newspapers

3. To examine the dominant interest in the coverage of Expanded Programme on

Immunization

4. To ascertain the direction of coverage on Expanded Program on Immunization.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What level of importance did the newspapers placed on the coverage of

immunization programme from January 2019- January 2020?

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2. What were the patterns and differentials in the coverage of immunization by the

newspapers?

3. What was the dominant interest in the newspaper coverage of the Expanded

Programme on Immunization?

4. What was the direction of coverage on Expanded Programme on Immunization?

1.5 Significance of the Study.

The study will be of immense significance to the Nigeria populace, as it will go

a great extent in enlightening through the role of the press on the coverage of the

expanded programme on immunization. It will further provide valuable caveat for

users of the newspaper with a view of initiating behavioral changes through positive

ways that the press can be put to use. In the same vein, the findings of the study will

create a platform for assessing newspaper and help professionals in the media to take

advantage of the invaluable opportunities that may be available from the newspaper

that will improve media practice and address the health needs of the general publics.

1.6 Scope of the Study

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 The focus of the study will be the entire populace in Nigeria which have access

to the use of Newspaper. However, due to the limitation of this study, the scope of

this study will be limited to two daily newspapers in the country.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

In the course of this study the researchers faced several challenges among the

challenges which rear its ugly heads include:

1. The advent of covid-19 which had made further interaction difficult.

2. The work was carried out under a very tight schedule since there was not o

enough time following the late resumption due to covid-19 outbreak.

3. The project was also hampered economically as finance at our disposal is not

sufficient for the research.

1.8 Definition of Terms

In order to have easy understanding of the topic effort was made to give an

operational definitions of same terms used.

Press: People who write report for newspaper, radio or television.

Press coverage: Reports written about something in newspapers.

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Immunization: The act of protecting someone from a particular illness, especially

by putting a substance into their body by injection.

Programme: An important plan, especially one organized by a government or large

organization.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Introduction

The role of the media is setting appropriate agenda in the. goal prevention, care

and support in health-related issues, especially given. the way a problem is defined

determines the way the people try to solve it. The media are seen as agent of changes

and have crucial roles to play in combating health challenges in Nigeria. The media

play the role of informing, educating and entertaining the public in matters of

societal concern and influencing the attitudes and behavior of the public.

Okidu (2013) observed that the ability of the media to convey adequate and

accurate information can be highly affective and successful in creating awareness

and knowledge that can lead to changes in social contents within which individual

operate especially in developing countries. Information is therefore fundamental for

preventing behavior but many of those at risk; significantly take access to quality

and relevant information.

2.2 Empirical Studies

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 Studies from Odoemelan, (2014) Nwodii&Ezeake (200), Edegar & Volkman,

(2012) and Uwikwe (2004), have shown that communication is indispensable in any

initiative aimed at creating awareness educating the masses on key government

health programmeA that will provide succor" to the people with request to health

outcome. Therefore the media are vital to the mobilization programmes. For

example, if people are expected to contribute their quota to the. achievement of any

immunization programmes, they need not just know about existence of such

programmes, but they need to be adequately informed about the nature of the

immunization programme.

The people also need to have opportunity or' avenue to reach out to their leaders,

government and National Programme on Immunization (NPI) Officers on how they

think the vaccines will be administered,. In all these process, the media serve as

veritable tools for the conveyance of information and the proper education of those

at risk. According to Okorie & Oyedepo, (2011), the Nigerian press as an institution

or organ is expected to report all or every sectors to the Nigeria economy with

sufficient attention on each sector. This becomes necessary because each sector of

the economy is of equal importance to the development of the Nigeria Society.

In content analysis studies, .prior categories are used to measure media

Coverage of various phenomena (Wimner and Dominire), (2011). Categories, such

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a prominence, violence frequency and direction are among the most used content

Categories for the measurement of patterns. in press coverage. F or instance in their

Content analysis of Newspaper reportage and its effects towards promoting

Agricultural Development in Nigeria, Okorie and Oyedepo (2011) found that the

Nigeria Newspaper did not give sufficient press coverage in terms of prominence in

their reportage of agriculture compared to other issues.

Their study also found that the press did not give sufficient attention to certain

areas of Agricultural sub-sector in its reportage. However, in the study, we examine

how the selected Nigerian newspapers covered the National programme on

Immunization (NPI) in Nigeria and we applied these prior categories as found in

previous studies. This is important because, whatsoever is discovered would be a

starting point for making policy decision that would affect the media and other

government initiatives like the NPI.

2.2.1 Content analysis of media coverage.

The content analysis method avails itself to the examination of media content

and coverage. It is about how the media focus on different aspects of life of a policy.

Scholars have used the content analysis method to investigate the patterns in media

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coverage of political, economic and Agriculture issues in • Nigeria; (see the works

of Ukonu ,2012, 0korie and Oyedepo,2011: Dickson et al 2014).

In using the method, several interesting outcome have emerged in the literature,

showing how the media especially newspaper cover serious issues spanning form

health politics to controversy issues Okorie and Oyedepo (2011) used this method

and .found that issues on agriculture did not receive favorable 'coverage by the press

in 2011. Importantly from the data analyzed, it was revealed that issues on

Agriculture were under reported by the Nigeria press. While their study examined

the agriculture sector this study is interested in how the selected Nigerian

newspapers represent the NPI programme. Such findings provide avenue for the

media to re-examine themselves and may even raise policy actions on media

coverage. Azlan, et al (2012) in their study of Malaysian Newspaper Discourse and

citizen participation observed that Newspapers are a particularly important tool for

the communication of government agenda policy and issues to the-general public.

Aigbe (2010) conducted a study to find out the spatio-social variations in

childhood immunization in Lagos state, Nigeria. Finding of the study revealed

marked intra-urban and rural urban differences in coverage. Immunization coverage

varied among the three social areas of Lagos metropolis. The explanatory factor of

the variability in Immunization coverage is residential states, maternal demographic

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.characteristic of education, autonomy, past health experience and distance to health

facility location. The paper recommended among .Others; the placement of premium

on childhood Immunization as pet requisites for primary school enrolment as a way

of attaining higher and even immunization coverage. The study is in line with the

subject matter of this study.

2.3 Content Categories used in content analysis studies

Frequently is defined in term of news reports as the total number of occurrence

of news reports as the total number of occurrence of news stories on the pages of a

newspaper. It can also be explained as volume of report derived after conducting a

study Peug (2010) in his study of press coverage of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria found that

the three national newspapers, Daily Sun Guardian and This Day give out low

coverage of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria during a one year period. Ifenkwe. (2008) in his

assessment of newspaper advocacy for rural development and environmental

education in Nigeria assessed five national dailies for a period of twelve months in

2006 came to a conclusion that high coverage was given to the reportage of rural

development news in Nigeria in contrast to environmental education in Nigeria.

This study provides a deep contrast to Chukuruka (2013) who observed

Nigeria newspapers low coverage of development news. Using the frequency

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.category, he found that urban areas took more than half of the total news covered

with about 75.5% and news from the rural -areas, amounted to about 24.5%. The

study observed that there was poor frequency reportage on rural news events in

Nigeria. Kadiri (2007) also in his content analysis researched on development news

in Nigeria newspaper between the period of June 2007 and May 2008 found that out

of 4220 news report during the period of their study (Jan-Dec 2007), 750 news were

reported about agriculture on rural development. This shows poor frequency on the

coverage of rural development issues in Nigeria.

2.3.2 News Placement

Importance attached to a particular story determines the prominence given to

that news stories. In newspaper prominence can be judged in terms. of placement.

Okorie & Oyedepo (2010) found in their study that poor prominence was attached

to agricultural news in rural areas as 81.3% were published on the inside pages.

Peng (2010) in his study on the coverage of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria newspaper

found that the stories were given little prominence. This shows low prominence on

an issue with health implications in the rural areas even though previous studies have

shown that health priority is a predictor of health development.

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 However, another, study by Okoh (2005) on newspaper' response to national

Mobilization effort found that Nigeria newspapers gave more prominence to rural

news in the period 1986/1987 than in 1984/1985.

2.3.3 Direction of Coverage

Direction of coverage of a news story involves the tone in which such story is

rendered. The indices for identifying direction of coverage include: favorable,

unfavorable and neutral. Okore & Oyedipo (2010) in their study, observe that news

items about issues in agriculture in the rural areas did-not receive adequate

favourable reporting: That out of 75% news items, 40% item were unfavorable

which shows a clear cut above average.

However, Batta (2012), contradict the above findings as his study showed

that out of 163 stories in newspaper coverage on traditional medicine, seven Stories

turned favourable, while 146 were positive and the rest unfavorable.

2.3.4 Challenge and factor militating against the coverage and accessing health

information.

Access to modern communication technology and medical assistance is a

problem for the majority of people living in developing countries particularly in rural

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communities (Clifford et al, 2008). Also, the National Opinion Research Center

(NORC) has it that there has been considerable amount of documentation regarding

general barrier to adoption and coverage of health information technology.

Ojo (2006) opines that a high level of illiteracy, poverty and absence of basic

infrastructure prevent most people from adopting most news media device for

covering over accessing health information. One major barrier to the implementation

of any media be it television, radio and mobile phones, newspaper etc to access and

cover health and health related information in rural communities in Ghana is a

reliable network system to provide and coyer health information between health

personnel to patients.

In the modern technological world, the establishment of a literate society and

a system for the continuous exchange of ideas is very necessary. Olajide (1990)

observes that rural people lack amenities like roads, good water supply, Schools,

health centres and markets. He further asserts that lack of indigenous capabilities for

the acquisition and spreading of information have been creating great hindrances in

many developing countries. Lack of knowledge of how to use proper instructional

materials such as newspapers, book, radio sets, television, films, slide, records and

cassettes players to mention only a few can hinder effective communication and

acquisition of new skills.

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 Ochogwu (1998) observe that although the Nigeria information service is

based on the experience of professional, the users of the information are hardly

consulted before acquisition. Thus the inadequate knowledge of the information

needs of users constitute formidable barriers to information communication

(Omogor 2013). He further opines that information agents seem to be ignorant of

information heeds. The requisite information for development has become extremely

segmented, divisive and uncoordinated. For information to achieve the desired

results in the rural communities, the source that provide for the flow of information

should not be monopolized and politicized. Availability of information is necessary

to the people.

Moreover, the understanding of the role of information in the development of

countries poor even in the developed world. The usage of technical language in

repackaging information in adequacy of time of access information and geographical

isolation also serve as barrier and factors militating to the access and coverage of

information sources to the rural areas.

2.4 Theoretical Frame Work

The study is premised on the Agenda Theory of the media.

2.4.1 Agenda-Setting Theory

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 The Agenda-Setting theory describes the ability of the news media to

influence the salience of topics on the public agenda. Previous research has provided

sufficient evidence that mass media have the power to select and "Pack" the events

and thus to influence the way audience/readers perceive the surrounding reality (De

Vresse 2007), cited in Odoemelam (2013). That is, if a news items is covered

frequently and prominently the audience will regard the issue as more important.

Map et al (2012) in. their study, Malaysian newspaper of discourse and citizen

participation argued that newspapers are a particularly important tool for the

communication of government Agenda, Polices and issues to the general public.

Agenda-Setting is the creation of public awareness and concern of salient

issues by the news media. Two basic assumptions underline most research on

agenda-setting, (i) the press and the media to not reflect reality they, filter and shape

it: (2) media concentration on a few issues and subjects leads the public to perceive

those issues as more important than other issues: One of the most critical aspects in

the concept of an Agenda-seting role of mass communication is the time frame for

this phenomenon. In addition, different media have different Agenda-setting

potential. Agenda-setting theory seems quite appropriate to help us understand the

pervasive role of the media (Universite of twente:[Link]).

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 CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3:0 Introduction.

This chapter comprises of the following research design, Area of study, population

and sampling procedure, research instrument, method of data collection and data

analysis. The design of a research can be regarded as the .framework which specifies

the type of information to be 'gathered including the source of data and procedure

used in collecting them.

3.1 Research Design

The research design used for this study is the content analysis method which,

as Reinand (2000) notes, analysis the manifest content of communication to discover

the extent patterns. The research used the content analysis technique to examine the

newspaper coverage of the expanded programme on immunization

3.2. Area of Study

The area of study comprises the sum total of the chosen newspapers published

in the country between January 2019- January, 2020. The units of analysis include

news, features additional, cartoons and letters of the editor

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3.3 Population of the Study

The population of a study comprises all subjects or elements relating to a specific

phenomenon which is of interest to the research. This study population comprised

all published materials on NPI in the Nigerian dailies. The population of newspapers

selected must be :

1. Dailies

2. Had wide national circulation covering all the geo-political zones of the country

3. Registration with the newspapers proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)

4. Newspaper which are not considered as having regional affiliation.

The two news papers, The Punch and the Sun were selected. The population of

the study encompasses the publication for the study period of the two selected

Nigerian dailies that stretches between January 1st 2019-January 1st 2020 which is

the window period.

3.4 Sample size and Sampling Procedure

Because of the largeness of the population size, the researcher opted for the

selection of a manageable and representative sample size of 42 editions for the period

of one year through continuous and constructed weeks as suggested by Stemple

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(1952) cited in. Wimner and. Dominick (2011), The two newspapers were selected

using purposive sampling techniques.

The import of the above reveals that each selected daily had 14 publications
within the period under study. The summations of all the sampled published editions
are a follows

The Punch 14

The Sun 14

Total 28

The statistics above shows that the total sample for the study is 28 editions of

all the publications of the two newspapers.

3.5. Method of Data Collection

The study used the code sheet for gathering information on the frame in the

newspaper coverage of the NPI activities, and also the code guide as instructional or

training resources materials for the codes. The codes sheet is a vital instrument of

data collection in content analysis studies. It is to content analysis what the

questionnaire or interview schedule is to a survey (0gbuoshi 2006, Wimner and

Dominick 2012 cited in Odoemelam, 2012)

3.6 Method of Data Analysis

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 The content areas of the two newspapers were analyzed- news, editorial

comments signed opinion (including Opinion articles, column and interview), letters

to the editor, editorial, cartoons and features. The collection and analysis of data

required a continuous and constructed week to build a year.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS CODING OF CONTENT

The selected issues of the newspaper were examined page by page by the

researches-codes to identify all news stories features, articles, editorials comments,

interview and, cartoons that needs references to expanded programme on

immunization to ensure that the agreement between the coders did not occur by

chances, the entire codes were subjected to an inter-coder reliability test.

The slots for, this study include importance of the issue, patterns of coverage,

dominant interest in the coverage and the direction of the coverage. The slots or

categories will be determined by the following indices and. variables.

Placement: The position where the actual manifest content. as it relates to this study

were placed (front, Inside, back pages) this is an indicator for importance of the

issues being analyzed. In the coding, if the coverage is found on the front page, it

will be coded I. If at the back page, it will be coded 9. Any coverage not on the fronts

page, it will be considered as not important.

Frequency: This refers to the number of time incidence on immunization occurred

in the' coverage by each of the newspapers. This variable is also used to indicate the

pattern of coverage by each of the newspaper as well as importance of the issues

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comparative to other issues of national importance as represented by each of the

newspapers.

Dominant Interest: The variable examined includes national interest, regional

interest, state interest, health interest and ethical prejudice. This category was

included as a result of the controversies that have trailed the national immunization

programmes overtime.

National Interest: To see if the papers discussed the issues as it affect the interest

of the nation

Regional Interest: To see if the papers discussed the issues as at effects regional

prejudice

State Interest: To see if the papers discussed the issue as it affects state interest

Ethnic Interest: To see if the papers discussed the issue as it affects ethnic interest

Health Interest: To see which of the interest reflected health issues.

Direction of Coverage: there are three perspective of direction favorably,

unfavorably, and neutral

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Favorably: this denoted any of the selected items that suggested, advocated, gave

the impression, or encourage immunization programme in Nigeria.

Unfavorably: This described any suggestion, statement, advocacy that the national

programme or immunization had failed the nation pr it had not performed well.

Especially those that advocated that the government should discontinue the

programme.

Neutral: Items that do not take a stand or position on the issue.

4.1 Data presentation and analysis

Table / showing sample days in the study

Punch Oct 6 July 7 June 26 May 12 April 2 Aug 10 Oct 13

Question (1) show the level of importance the newspaper place on coverage of

immunization programme from 2019 Jan/June 2020

Table 2: Distribution of Total Coverage Items, by the Selected Newspaper

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 Content Newspaper The Sun Total

Punch

Total issues 300(49.8%) 302(50.2) 602 (100%)

Health issues 26(63.4%) 15(36.6%) 41(100%)

Immunization 5 3 08

Placement 0 0 0

Table 2 above shows a total of 602 editorial matters were published by the

newspaper on a comparative basis, punch had more issues on health, while the sun

newspaper had the less issues on health. Further, the table showed that only a total

of 08 (19.5%) editorial matters discussed the national programme on .immunization

in: all the newspapers together. This showed that on a comparatives basis, the punch

newspaper give more attention to the issues of NPI.

Also, entry for placement showed that the newspaper did not place any of the

issues on immunization on the front page. They all placed the issue at 0(0%) which

meant that it was neither at the front page nor at back page. A previous study showed

that when events are placed on either the front or back page, they reflect the

importance of the issue (ohaja.2003, okorie & oyedepo 2013.)

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 From this analysis, we draw the conclusion that importance was not 4 attached

to the coverage of the national programme on immunization in the selected

newspapers. Since frequency and placement scored very low in the analysis, this

findings agrees with the works of Aigbe (2010) who found that international and

development issues like agriculture were given low importance by the media.

QUESTION 3: What were the patterns and differentials in the coverage of

immunization by the newspapers?

Table 3: showing distribution pattern of entries on editorial items on immunization

Published by the newspapers

Content area Punch Sun Total Q

News 3 2 05 55.6%

Features 1 0 01 11.1%

Editorial 2 0 02 22.2

Opinions 0 0 0

Cartoons 0 0 0

Adverts 0 0 0

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 Interview 0 1 0 11.1

Total 6 3 09 10.0

The table above shows the identified editorial matters in the newspapers

under study and also the distribution of the coverage on immunization by the

newspapers. A total of 09 items were distributed across the editorial matters.

News items on: immunization were 05(55.6%). Comparatively, punch newspaper

had 3(55.6%) while the sun newspaper had 2(22.2%).

Question 3: What was the dominant interest in the newspaper coverage of the

expanded programme on immunization?

Table 4: coverage inclination of the selected newspapers.

Category Punch The sun Total

National interest 6(66.7%) 01(11.1%) 07(77.8%)

Regional interest 0(0) 2(22.2%) 2(22.2%)

State Interest 0(0) 0(0) 0(0%)

Ethnic prejudice 0(0) 0(0) 0(0)

Total 06 03 09

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Table 4: above shows the coverage inclination of the newspapers items on the basis

operational definition of national interest, the- two are supportive of programme on

immunization coverage. The regional interest data showed that the sun had

2(22.2%). Question 4: what was the direction of coverage on the expanded

programme on Immunization?

Table 5: shows direction of coverage by the selected newspapers

Newspaper Favorable Unfavorable Neutral Total %

Punch 6(54.5%) 0(0%) 3(27.3%) 09 81.8

The sun 0(0%) 2(18.2%) 0(%) 02 18.2

Total 6(54.5%) 2(18.2%) 3(27.3%) 11 100

From table 5 It can be seen that all item published by the Punch, and the Sun

newspapers recorded a total of 6(54.5%) favorable ratings 2(18.2%) unfavorable

indices and -3(27.3%) neutral. While the punch newspaper recorded 6(5.4.5%)

favorable rating, the sun recorded 2(18.2%) unfavorable ratings.

4.2 Discussion of findings

This analysis has shown quite a differential pattern in the editorial maters on,

the national programme on immunization. A study by Aja (2010) showed that factors

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like editorial idiosyncrasy, ownership and house style might be responsible for

determining the pattern of newspaper coverage. Furthermore, future research is

required to provide explanation as to why the differences in the editorial entries

occurred. This could be approached through the qualitative approach of in-depth

interview of the editors of the two newspapers. In answer to the second question, we

draw the conclusion that majority of the coverage on immunization was' in the news

genre (55.6%), which was followed by the editorial (22.2%). However, on a

comparative note, we conclude that punch newspaper had a higher news items on

immunization 3(33.3%).

The coverage data showed that none of the newspaper covered the national

programme, on immunization along state interest or prejudice. This is an interesting

outcome since previous literature especially those analyzing the federal structure in

Nigeria Vis-à-vis political cum economic discourse, having argued that debate on

allocation of resources will always dwell on state of origin (Nnoli;1998 Odoemelam

(2014) have argued that, polities underpins the issue of class struggles as is

experienced in the minority relation in Nigeria. In this relationship, they identified,

and discussed major problem areas which are characteristic of the Nigeria's federal

structure.

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 Another interesting outcome as is seen in the above table is the 0(0%) entries

on the ethnic prejudice variable under dominant interest content category.

The research had concluded this variable to ethnic controversies that had trailed

previous federal government's polio immunization initiatives, especially since the

medial, as expounded by the normative paradigm, will always reflect the political

reality of where they are domiciled (Okorie, Ukonu and Odoemelam 2014). Their

ideas are reflected thus: the origin understanding of the normative theories of the

press, which is found in the seminal Works of Siebert et al (1956), focused on the

political milieu of nation-states, where the press is expected to assume the Coloration

of tile political milieu within which it finds itself. In the main, the theory helps to

explain the ways in which societal communication rules impinge on mass media

structure and performance and highlights the consequence of non-Convergence

between societal prejudices and •mass communicator principles (Folarin 2002).

Since the newspaper scored low in the unfavorably indices, it was no surprise

that they recorded correspondingly very low scores on the neutral scale. The

percentages on the neutral and unfavorably scales were low, which can be

interpreted as high favorably disposition of the two newspapers toward national

programme on immunization. Further studies are required to clear the controversy

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on the favorability, neutrality or unfavourability accorded government programme

by the press.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Summary

This study flows on the patterns in press coverage of the expanded programme

on immunization, with 41 comparative analysis of the Punch and the Sun.

newspapers. The study examined 14 editions of the punch and the sun newspapers

between January 2019 and January 2020 The rationale of the study reflected the link

to find out the level of importance the newspapers, the patterns and differentials in

the coverage, the dominant interest in the coverage as well as the direction of

coverage from January 2019-January 2020

In carrying out this study the researchers used content analysis method of two

major newspapers' (Punch and the Sun) under the following units of analysis, News;

features, editorials, cartoons and letters to the editor of the two selected newspapers.

The slots for the study include importance of the issues, patterns of coverage,

dominant interest in the coverage.

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 The questions in the instrument were examined critically to ensure that they

measured what was intended. Conclusion was drawn from the analysis and

recommendations were made.

5.2 Conclusion

Accurate and adequate knowledge remains a prerequisite to achieve desirable

health behavior and the media have the responsibility to provide their relevant

information. This is necessary if. Nigeria wants to achieve sustainable development.

Good health lies at the very base of human survival and social progress and

information is required to make the necessary health decision. This includes accurate

information on government programme on immunization. This however becomes

problematic when certain variables within the nation' federal structure-may serve as

impediment to realizing such goals.

The study showed that a relatively scanty coverage of the NPI by Nigerian

newspapers as it was presented by the punch and the Sun was observed. Little

importance was given to the national programme on immunization. This was

observed through the parameters, of frequency and placement. Also it was observed

that national interest dominated the trend of coverage.

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 However, one interesting outcome which was observed in the study was take

that, the pattern of coverage by the newspapers did not reflect regional or ethnic

interest. This is a commendable discovery since the media in a country must de-

emphasize ethnic lines and difference in their coverage of natural issues especially,

one as vital as health. It is further suggested that this trend should continue, and the

National Programme on Immunization must work hand-in-hand with press to

provide awareness and the Programme importance to societal health outcomes.

5.3 Recommendations

Having drawn the-necessary conclusions based on the findings of this study,

the following recommendations are made:

• Significant reduction of child health challenges and mortality rates remains a

critical indicator of a nations level of health development and should be given -

serious attention by the media

• The press must improve the re-orientation of citizens to appreciate national

Programme on immunization (N.P.I) to enable citizens to participate effectively

especially in northern Nigeria where controversies over immunization are an

issue.

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• There is need for the re-orientation of National Leaders, N P I officers among

others on the need to appreciate the press as partners in immunization campaign.

It is also recommended that further studies should be carried out to establish

empirical evidence on the debate regarding the favorability, neutrality or

unfavourability accorded government programs by the press. This issue is yet to

be grounded in the literature.

• The press must strive to present serious issues like health, objectively devoid of

ethnic or regional sentiments.

34
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