Frame Analysis of Hate Speech issues in Selected Nigerian Newspapers

Abstract

The study examined how Punch and Independent newspapers in Nigeria framed hate speech issue. The goals of the study were to determine the frequency, genre the stories appeared, sources for the framed stories and the type of frame they were depicted. Frame analysis was applied to a sample of 95 editorial items between 1st June, 2017 and 31st May, 2018. The study found that straight news and opinion articles were predominant in the coverage of the selected newspapers. Applying deductive approach to frame analysis, the study identified six frames – freedom, regulation, attribution of responsibility, action, conflict and economic consequences. Elites in the society were generally the sources for the frames. Second, attribution of responsibility frame proved that framing was a contest for definition of reality as the two political parties struggled to attribute the rise of hate speech to each other. Given that most of the sources of framed stories were from the elites, the study, therefore, concludes that the voices of ordinary Nigerians were marginalised and recommended that journalists’ sourcing system which gives undue voice to the elites should be reconsidered for a more inclusive one.