ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to assess the level of newspapers reportage of the 2012 Dana Aviation Crisis. Consequently, the research investigated the coverage of two national dailies namely: The Punch and Guardian newspapers. The study adopted the content analysis method of research which was carried out between June 3rd to December 31st, 2012. Accordingly, a census of 120 issues of the newspapers was carried out using the content analysis method. Findings from the study revealed that Guardian and The Punch gave prominence to the Dana Aviation Crisis, given the fact that both papers published 25 stories of the event as front page reports. Air crisis report published as the frequency of reportage within the study period. For the direction or report, both newspapers published a total of 32 favourable stories, 8 unfavourable stories and 6 neutral stories which were neutral. As for this depth of stories, 709 paragraphs were used in publishing the Dana air crisis reports. Findings from the study revealed that dailies should not over concentrate on straight news reporting, rather they should pay attention to features and editorials which analyse issues and can influence the decision of readers. Newspapers should allot more space to important national issues on the front and back pages of the newspapers as well as feature more cartoon, since cartoon have a way of passing a strong message to discerning readers. Newspapers should avoid sensational or sentimental and biased news report because this can dismantle the stratum of society.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Page

Title Page         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           i

Declaration      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           ii

Certification     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iii

Dedication       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iv

Acknowledgement       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           v

Abstract           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           vi

Table of Contents        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           vii

List of Tables and Figures        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.0              Background of the Study         -           -           -           -           -           -           1

1.1              Statement of the Problem         -           -           -           -           -           -           5

1.2              Objectives of the Study           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           6

1.3               Research Questions    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           6

1.4              Significance  of the Study        -           -           -           -           -           -           7

1.5              Delimitation of the Study         -           -           -           -           -           -           7

1.6              Limitation of the Study            -           -           -           -           -           -           -           8

1.7              Operational definition of Terms          -           -           -           -           -           -           8

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.0       Introduction     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           9

2.1       Review of Concepts    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           9

2.1.1    The Concept of Mass Media    -           -           -           -           -           -           10

2.1.2    Mass Media Coverage of Issues           -           -           -           -           -           -           12

2.1.3    The mass Media in Communication     -           -           -           -           -           14

2.1.4    Mass Media: The Newspaper and the Nigerian            -           -           -           -           16

2.1.5    The Aviation Industry in Nigeria         -           -           -           -           -           17

2.2       Review of Opinion      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           22

2.3       Review of Related Studies       -           -           -           -           -           -           25

2.3.1    The Impact of the Media on the Aviation Industry in Nigeria -                        -           25

2.3.2    The empirical Analysis of the contribution of Aviation Industry to the

            Nigeria Economy         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           27

2.4       Theoretical Framework            -           -           -           -           -           -           -           28

2.4.1    Social Responsibility Theory   -           -           -           -           -           -           28

2.4.2    Reflective Projective Theory   -           -           -           -           -           -           30

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0   Introduction         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           33

3.1   Research Techniques       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           33

3.2   Population of the Study    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           33

3.3   Sample Size/Sampling Procedure -           -           -           -           -           -           34

3.4   Unit of Analysis-  -           -           -           -           --          -         -                        -           34

3.5   Content Categories           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           34

3.6   Themes    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           35

3.7   Inter coder Reliability.      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           35

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS

                                AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

4.0    Introduction        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           37

4.1    Data Presentation and Analysis   -           -           -           -           -           -           37

4.2    Discussion of Findings   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           40

4.2.1 Research Question 1       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           40

4.2.2 Research Question 2       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           41

4.2.3 Research Question 3       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           41

4.2.4 Research Question 4       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           41

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND

                              RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1   Summary of Findings       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           42

5.2   Conclusion           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           43

5.3   Recommendations                        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           43

        References                       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           45

        Appendix -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           47

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1:     Distribution of Newspaper Contents         -           -        &nbs