GUARDIAN AND VANGUARD COVERAGE OF ALLEGED FINANCIAL MISAPPROPRIATION BY EX GOVERNORS

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to determine the extent of newspaper coverage given to alleged financial misappropriation by ex governors. The method adopted for the purpose of this study was the content analysis method. This data was carefully collected from the select newspapers stories published from July to September 2024. A total of 65 editions of the Guardian and Vanguard newspapers were collated and analyzed. The objectives of the study were to examine the frequency; prominence, format and genre given to stories on alleged financial misappropriation by ex governors in the select newspapers so as to measure the extent the print media report alleged financial misappropriation by ex governors cases. To this effect, findings revealed that the select newspapers under study did not give much coverage to alleged financial misappropriation by ex governors. Straight news format took a major lead of the coverage than others. Findings also revealed that enough prominence were not given to the issue by the select newspapers as majority of the stories were reported in the inside pages of the select newspapers hence, the media failed in its agenda setting role of elevating issues in the mind of the public. However, the researcher recommended that newspapers should improve and frequently focus more on the coverage of issues on alleged financial misappropriation by ex governors. This will enable the public know what is happening in the society as the level at which newspaper cover news stories is very low. Detailed account on alleged financial misappropriation by ex governors should be consistently reported by the print media also, Newspapers should give more prominence to issues of alleged financial misappropriation by ex governors using their front pages to place emphasis on the relevance of the issue. This will enable news readers attach corresponding importance to such issues.