Poverty, Politics, and the Press: Uncovering the Complexities of Media Coverage on Nigeria's Social Investment Programmes

This thesis undertakes a comprehensive analysis of news media representation and public discourse concerning the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) in Nigeria. The NSIP, launched in 2016, is a key poverty alleviation initiative by the Nigerian government, and this study investigates how it has been portrayed and discussed across various media platforms, including traditional newspapers and social media. By exploring the role of the press and social media, this research aims to provide insights into the media's influence on public perception and policy implementation regarding the NSIP.

The research sets out to achieve four primary objectives. First, it seeks to identify the dominant themes in news reports on the NSIP published in Nigerian newspapers, offering insights into the prominent topics and recurring issues that have shaped the programme's media narrative. Second, the study uses content analysis to examine how the NSIP is portrayed in the news, focusing on the framing, tone, and sources of information used by the press to construct the narrative around the programme, highlighting the dominant narratives and perspectives in the media. Third, this thesis applies critical discourse analysis (CDA) to explore Nigerians' engagement with NSIP news on X (formerly Twitter), revealing public reactions, opinions, and discussions on the platform, and highlighting how social media users shape discourse around the programme Lastly, the study investigates the motivations and practices of Nigerian journalists in reporting on the NSIP, including their use of NSIP policy documents as sources of information. This aspect of the study seeks to understand the factors influencing their reporting choices and the degree to which these choices affect public perception.

The study's findings reveal that media coverage of the NSIP in Nigerian newspapers is predominantly framed around themes of governance, corruption, and inefficiency, with a recurring focus on the operational challenges affecting the programme's success. Social media discourse on X, meanwhile, reflects a range of public opinions, from scepticism and criticism to support for the programme, with power dynamics and socio-political influences shaping the conversations. Furthermore, interviews with journalists show that while NSIP policy documents are often used as a one-off primary source, journalists face difficulties in obtaining balanced information due to limited access to independent sources, which affects the depth and objectivity of their reporting.

The findings suggest that both traditional and digital media play a crucial role in shaping public perception of the NSIP. The press, through its framing and representation of the programme, contributes to the agenda-setting process, while social media provides a digital public sphere where diverse viewpoints and voices emerge. The study also underscores the importance of journalistic integrity and the need for more transparent "to information to enhance the quality and balance of media reporting on the NSIP.

This thesis contributes to the understanding of how media coverage and public discourse influence the perception and implementation of social welfare programmes like the NSIP in Nigeria. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers, journalists, and stakeholders involved in poverty alleviation efforts, recommending improved media engagement strategies and enhanced transparency in communication to foster public trust and accountability in the NSIP. Future research could explore the long-term effects of media representation on policy outcomes and public attitudes towards poverty alleviation initiatives.