AN ANALYSIS OF ONLINE PUNCH NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF MALNUTRITION IN NIGERIA; MEDIA REPORTAGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

The mass media is one of the major agents and tool for social, economic and political change especially now that most people depend on the mass media for information, messages and news. It is well recognized that the mass media plays a large influential role in the way the public responds to health issues. The mass media; print, television, radio and internet has an unparalleled reach as a communication mechanism. The newspaper is the oldest medium of communication. Due to the change and growth of the world, print and the internet were combined and modified therefore creating the online newspaper which is more environment friendly, cheaper, convenient and portable. Going online, created more opportunities for many newspaper houses such as competing with broadcast mediums like television and radio in presenting breaking news in a timely manner. In 2020, online newspapers and other social media platforms became the best medium for spreading and collecting information and news especially health related information.

Public health is “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society” (Acheson, 1988; WHO). Therefore, the goal of public health is to improve and protect the well-being of individuals and the community. Most public health issues are viewed as irrelevant, but they are vital to the general public. The way these issues are portrayed by the mass media has the potential to influence public’s opinion and, as a result, their health state. Some examples of public health issues are; HIV/AIDS, Cardiovascular Disease, and Malnutrition which will be the main focus of this study.

Malnutrition according to the Lancet Medical Journal, contributes to “3.1 million under five child deaths annually or 45% of all deaths for that age group”. UNICEF reports that in Nigeria, an estimated amount of two million children suffer from Malnutrition. This study will be focused on the mass media reportage of public health issues with an analysis on Punch newspaper online  coverage of malnutrition in children ages 0 to 5 in Nigeria. The main focus of the study is to examine the effects of mass media reportage of public health issues on the society.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The mass media reporting on public health issues like malnutrition is important in creating awareness and helping in the growth of the country. It is concerned about the causes, effects and solutions of malnutrition. Most newspaper and mass media houses do not see the importance of creating awareness on public health issues, they most times focus on other issues or events happening in the society without putting importance on public health issues like malnutrition until it becomes a severe case, for instance, Covid-19. Punch newspaper puts efforts in creating awareness on malnutrition unlike other newspaper and mass media houses however, most of their publications on malnutrition are on their online platform because very few people read or care about public health issues when published on the print copy newspaper which was discovered through observation of individuals.

Many people even downplay the negative effects malnutrition has on the society and refuse to put effort into reducing or curbing Malnutrition. Sometimes people do not even have adequate information on Malnutrition which is where the mass media comes in to help. The mass media is needed to give out the necessary information on health issues in order to solve or prevent those health issues. Therefore, the statement of the problem is that the mass media despite the power it has, continues to downplay or tone down public health issues and instead focus on other things that are believed to be more important which in turn affects the public’s opinion and knowledge of public health issues, therefore making it hard for people to see the efforts the media has made. It is necessary to clearly determine if the mass media can help in reducing or curbing public health issues like malnutrition.

1.3 Objectives

The core purpose for this study is to show the importance of the Punch newspaper online coverage of Malnutrition of children under the age of 5 in Nigeria. The following are the objectives of the study:

1. To determine the level of trust people have in the mass media to deliver information about health issues.
2. To determine if the mass media has an important role to play in protecting the well-being of the citizens of Nigeria by giving information about public health issues that are affecting or may affect the society.
3. To determine if the mass media can help in solving public health issues.
4. To know the public’s perspective on if the mass media has put effort into solving public health issues.
5. To know if Punch newspaper online reportage of malnutrition can help in reducing the rate of malnutrition in children under the age of 5.

1.4 Research questions

The following are research questions put forward in the study:

1. Does the mass media affect people’s view on important health issues?
2. Can the mass media reportage of public health issues help solve those public health issues?

• Does the public believe the mass media has put effort into reducing the rate of malnutrition in Nigeria?

1. From the public’s perspective, has Punch online newspapers reportage helped in reducing the rate of malnutrition in children under the age of 5 in Nigeria?
2. What information has Punch online newspapers published on malnutrition in Nigeria and is it a good idea?
3. What is the public’s opinion on the government’s effort in curbing malnutrition and what do they believe can be done to reduce the rate of malnutrition in Nigeria?.

1.5 Research hypothesis

The following below are the hypothesis of the study:

H₀: The mass media cannot help in solving public health issues H₁: the mass media can help in solving public health issues.

H₀: Punch newspaper online  cannot help in reducing the rates of malnutrition in Nigeria.

H₁: Punch newspaper online  can help in reducing the rates of malnutrition in Nigeria.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study is titled “Mass media reportage of Public health issues: An analysis of Punch newspaper online  coverage of malnutrition in Nigeria”. The main focus of this study is the mass media’s reportage of public health issues, with a special focus on Punch newspaper online coverage of malnutrition in children under the age of 5 years. The reason for the target chosen is because of their continuous coverage of malnutrition, popularity and number of publications. The data is provided from December 2020- September 2021.

1.7 Significance of the study

The significance of this study can be overemphasized, this study aims at benefiting a large number of people both the mass media as well as the government and even citizens of Nigeria.

This study has important contribution to make in creating awareness and assisting in solving public health issues like malnutrition. Malnutrition has many negative effects on the health and growth of the country. It is one of the major causes of death in children under five in Nigeria. The danger of continuing to lose children under the age of 5 who are Nigeria’s next generation, will leave negative effects on the economy and slow down the growth and development of the economy.

People hardly see or understand the danger of malnutrition which is why they tend to ignore this health issue. In Nigeria, it is viewed as something trivial and common. The mass media has the role and duty to inform and educate the public or society on matters that may affect them. But sadly, the mass media also sometimes downplays important issues especially health related issues until the health issue becomes disastrous (Covid-19).

This study will examine and analyze if the mass media reporting public health issues has any effect or impact.

AN ANALYSIS OF ONLINE PUNCH NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF MALNUTRITION IN NIGERIA; MEDIA REPORTAGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES