PROF. EZEKIELS.ASEMAH

This research was conducted to examine the coverage of new CBN policy on redesigned naira note, by select mainstream newspapers in Nigeria. Its aim were to, ascertain the level of coverage given to CBN new policy on redesigned naira note, find out what prominence was given to new CBN policy on redesigned naira note, ascertain the possible position of newspapers in the newspaper reportage of CBN policy on redesigned naira note, determine the pattern of reports given to reportage on new CBN policy on redesigned naira note and lastly ascertain the frequency of stories on the CBN policy on redesigned naira note. The content analysis method was adopted to carefully collect data from newspaper stories published from October 26, 2022 to February 2023. A total of 71 editions of both vanguard and guardian newspapers, were collated and analyzed. The study was anchored on the Agenda setting theory and the media dependency theory. The findings of the research revealed that; Media organizations in Nigeria, gave a high level of reportage on CBN policy on redesigned naira note, media organizations did not give prominence to the reportage of activities on CBN policy on redesigned naira note, media organizations failed in their correlation or interpretative function as most of the items on the subject matter were reported as straight news, newspapers in Nigeria were not frequent enough with the reportage of CBN policy on redesigned naira note, media organizations is on the negative stand point on the issue of CBN policy on redesigned naira note, media organizations, covered more items on criticism and reactions of the public on the policy. The researcher however recommends that; Media organizations should avoid adding too much emotions to their new stories, so that the audience will not get too emotional and miss the message, on issues of government policies, media organizations, should be more frequent in the reportage of stories, that has to do with policies at its early stage, rather than engaging in the rush hour approach, to ensure proper understanding, more media practitioners should be trained on financial analysis, so that when any policy that has to do with finance, is made by the government, they will be able to conduct proper analysis on it, while trying to represent the public, on issues of government policies, the media should place more focus on stories that will enlighten the members of the public rather than projecting stories of attack and problems emanating from the policy, the media should try as much as possible to be on a neutral position and uphold truth and accuracy, so that they will not present the government in a bad light.