DECLARATION

I ABEL, DANIEL MONDAY, humbly declares that this work, “Newspaper Coverage of
Environmental Pollution in Ibeno and Nsit Ibuim Local Government Areas of Akwa
Ibom State: A Case Study of The Guardian and Thisday Newspapers”, is a production of
my research work carried out in the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of
Social Science, National Open University of Nigeria, under the supervision of Dr. Charles
Effiong

I wish to declare that this research work is my personal effort and do not contain any
previously written work by other research or previously published material that has
been accepted for the award of any certificate or degree from any University or Higher
Institution of Learning.

Signature:

ABEL, DANIEL MONDAY

NOU171005963

Date:
 CERTIFICATION

This is to Certify that this research project on “Newspaper Coverage of Environmental

Signature: Date:
DR. CHARLES EFFIONG
(Project supervisor)

Signature: Date:
Prof. O. F. IWUCHUKWU
(Centre Director, Calabar Study Centre)

Signature: Date:
THE DEAN
(Head of Department, Mass Communication)

Signature: Date:
External Supervisor
 DEDICATION

This research is dedicated to God almighty for Facilitating the successful Completion of
my Undergraduate Academic Programme at National Open University of Nigeria,
calabar, Nigeria.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am grateful to God almighty for his unlimited wisdom, inspiration, love, faith, abundant
grace, and for giving me the enablement to scale through my research study.

My special thanks go to my supervisor, Dr. Charles Effiong who created time to read
through the manuscript and made necessary corrections without any form of hesitation.
I am also thankful to my centre director Prof. O. F. IWUCHUKWU, and all
Staff/facilitators in Noun Calabar Centre for their love and guidance.

I won’t fail to say thank you to my dear parents who despite the numerous challenges
still stood their grounds to sponsor me throughout my tedious academic pursuit.

I would also love to acknowledge with much appreciation my beloved brother and
friend Ene Vincent who gave me full assistance from the beginning to the end of my
research.

My special gratitude goes to my beloved Pastor Juliet, who stood by me all through of
my studies. She is indeed a coach and one in a million. My Unreserved appreciation also
goes to my fellow soldier in the faith Mr. Daniel Umoh who inspires me to take a step in
academics as a mentor. I won’t forget Grace E. Eton who also stood by me and gave
useful advice towards success of my studies.

Finally, I want to thank my beloved brothers Mr. Ime Abel, Mr. Emmanuel Abel and Mr.
Agustine Abel who supported me in the course of the work. Special gratitude goes to my
fellow soldiers in kingdom race Mr. Koko Udo, Engr. Emmanuel Etim, and Engr. David
Effiong for their support.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page - - - - - - - - - - i

Certification Page - - - - - - - - - ii

Dedication - - - - - - - - - - iii

Acknowledgments - - - - - - - - - iv

Table of Contents - - - - - - - - - v

List of Tables - - - - - - - - - viii

Abstract - - - - - - - - - - ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study - - - - - - - 1

1.2. Statement of Problem - - - - - - - - 7

1.3. Objectives of the Study - - - - - - - 8

1.4. Research Questions - - - - - - - - 9

1.5. Delimitation/Scope of the study - - - - - - 9

1.6. Significance of Study - - - - - - - - 9

1.7. Definition of Terms - - - - - - - - 10

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Environmental Pollution - - - - - - - 10

2.2. Environmental Pollution in AkwaIbom State - - - - 15

2.3. Historical Development of Newspaper in Nigeria - - - - 23

2.4. An Overview of Media Coverage of Environmental Pollution in Nigeria - 28

2.6. Summary of literature - - - - - - - 31

CHAPTER THERE: METHODOLOGY

3.1. Research Design - - - - - - - - 32

3.2. Population of Study - - - - - - - - 32

3.3. Sample Size - - - - - - - - - 32

3.4. Sampling Technique - - - - - - - - 33

3.5 Method of Data Collection - - - - - - - 33

3.6. Unit of Analysis - - - - - - - - 33

3. 7. Measuring Instrument - - - - - - - - 34

3.8. Validity/ Reliability - - - - - - - - 34

3.9. Method of Data Analysis- - - - - - - - 35

3.10. Limitations of Methodology - - - - - - - 38

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Data presentation and Analysis - - - - - - 40

4.2 Description of Sample - - - - - - - - 41

4.3 Discussion on Findings - - - - - - - - 46

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1Summary - - - - - - - - - - 49

5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - 50

5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - - 50
 References - - - - - - - - - - 50

Appendices - - - - - - - - - 53

LIST OF TABELS

Table 1 Effect of environmental pollution in Akwa Ibom State

Table 2 Extent of Newspaper coverage of environmental pollution in Akwa Ibom State

Table 3 What is the nature of news coverage given to environmental pollution in Akwa

Ibom State by the Nigerian Press?

Table 4: Placement of stories on environmental pollution in AkwaIbom on the pages of

the two newspapers

Abstract
This study titled “Newspaper Coverage of Environmental Pollution in Ibeno and Nsit
Ubium Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State: A Study of The Guardian and
Thisday Newspapers” aimed at examining the extent to which Newspapers have played
their role in development, especially environmental issues in Nigeria. Environmental
pollution such as air pollution, water pollution etc have been constant issues in Nigeria
especially South South and Niger Delta region. Hence this Study sought to investigate
how the media, especially the print media, can play their role in the control of
environmental pollution in the region. Social responsibility theory was used to support
the analysis of this study. Content of the two newspapers were used for qualitative and
quantitative analysis. A total of 273 editions constituted the population of study for each
year. Out of the 273 editions; a sample of 180 editions was selected using the systematic
random sampling where editions were picked at 3rd intervals using 4 as the random
starting point. Each of the 2 newspapers: The Guardian, and Thisday were assigned 90
editions within each 9-month period (April to December) spanning from 2018-2020. This
study reveals that little coverage and low interpretation was given to the subject matter.
Also, that no story on the subject matter made the front and few back pages of the
newspapers studied within the 9 months study period April-December (2018-2020).
Finally, that the most reported aspect of environmental pollution in the region is oil
pollution and related activities. The findings led to the suggestions that Media
organization should endeavor to give a follow up report on efforts of government in
tackling environmental pollution in Akwa Ibom state and made prominent. Opinion of
inhabitants should be captured by the media reporters in the coverage of environmental
pollution in Akwa Ibom State. (Word Count: 296)