The press sensationalizes crime stories, over reports violent crime stories like homicide, assault, etc. in comparison to non-violent stories and that violent stories are usably reported disproportionately compared to their incidence in official crime statistics or victims surveys, and that sensational reporting of crime contribute to coencern crime over crime among the public is point of concern. This project examines the print media and the creation of fear of crime, amount and sources of crime in the print media (Guardian Newspapers) and patterns of crime reporting bringing out some core values. 

This project also acknowledges reporting of crime as Epidemic and examines some vital suggestions towards uplifting the values of the press (Guardian) in crime reporting. Guardian Newspapers is used to scrutinized the coverage of crime in Nigeria. The sample size for the Newspaper is Thirty One (31) Editions from July – December, 2008. Thirty one editions were sampled to get relevant response and coverage on the issue of the study. Findings revealed that the mass media tried to uphold the theory of social responsibility and doing this, they publish matters on crime in Nigeria, thereby making the issue important and relevant in the country.

Research shows that most nature of crime covered under this study was straight news format with most of the crime stories written by reports of Guardian Newspapers. The direction of the report was positive in nature

Similarly, the study indicated that the media is vibrant in their coverage of the fight against crime.

Recommendations were made on how the mass media can help to educate and interprete the aftermath of crime activities to people as well as sensitize them in the need to totally eradicate crime and improve on the media’s coverage on the subject matter.  

Title Page 

Declaration 

Approval page 

Dedication 

Acknowledgement 

Abstract 

INTRODUCTION  

1.0Introduction

1.1Background of the Study 

1.2History of Case Study 

1.3Aims and Objectives

1.4Statement of Problem

1.5Significance of the Study 

1.6Research Questions 

1.7Delimitation of the Study 

1.8Theoretical Framework

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES  

2.0Introduction

2.1Crime and the Press 

2.2Sources and Mount of Crime News 

2.3Reporting Crime as Epidemic 

References 

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  

3.0Research Methodology

3.1Instrument of Data Collection

3.2Advantages of Content Analysis 

3.3Area of Study

3.4Population of the Study 

3.5Sampling Size 

3.6Validity of the Instrument

3.7Appreciation of Instrument

3.8Method of Data Analysis 

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS   

4.0Unit of Analysis 

4.1Data Presentation

4.2Data Sheet 

4.3Discussion of Findings

CHAPTER FIVE:

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS   

5.0Summary 

5.1Conclusion

5.2Recommendations

Bibliography

Appendix