THE MEDIA AND A GREEN ENVIRONMENT: ASSESSING NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study presents a content analysis of newspaper coverage of renewable energy in Nigeria. Four newspapers ( The Guardian, Nation, Daily Sun and Vanguard ) were examined. The code sheet served as the instrument for data collection. In the analysis of data for the study, the researchers made use of descriptive statistics while data was presented in charts. The results of the study showed the dominant focus of newspaper stories on renewable energy, namely: benefits of renewable energy; progress in renewable energy; ways of promoting renewable energy; consequences of ignoring renewable energy; requirements for effective renewable energy, and obstacles to renewable energy. Problems confronting the growth of renewable energy in Nigeria are the following: poor budgetary allocation; lack of policy direction; lack of political will; ignorance; and lack of manpower. The authors highlighted the implications of these results on agenda setting theory and renewable energy promotions in Nigeria. study on reportage and awareness of renewable energy to better define the framing, agenda setting and priming functions of the media towards renewable energy.