Analysis of newspaper coverage of world cancer day: A study of select newspapers in Nigeria

Abstract

The rate at which cancer claims the lives of people around the world has been a matter of global concerns. In keeping with the desire to fight cancer and save the world, the United Nations and Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) established world cancer day aimed to unite the global community on the fight against cancer. As a global fight and awareness creation for preventive measures, this study aims to investigate the coverage of world cancer day in Nigerian newspapers. Using content analysis research method, the study analysed This-day, The Nation, Guardian and Vanguard newspapers between 2012 and 2021. Relying on the social responsibility and agenda setting theories, the study found that although, the media gave adequate coverage to the world cancer day; stories on the event are buried inside pages. It was also found that awareness and persuasive purpose dominated the purpose of coverage while episodic and thematic frames dominated the framing of cancer in the newspapers. The study concluded that the newspapers did not give enough coverage of the cancer day. It was recommended that the media should intensify efforts to provide adequate and prominent coverage of the event and as well endeavor to engage in reports that can draw government attention to the need for sound health facilities to enhance early cancer detection and control.