Extent of Coverage and Prominence of Science and Technology News in Select Nigerian Newspapers (2014-2024)

Abstract

This study evaluated the extent of coverage and the level of prominence given to Sci & Tech stories by two leading Nigerian national dailies, The Punch and The Guardian, from June 2014 to May 2024. The paper specifically attempted to assess the extent of coverage given to science and technology stories by Nigerian newspapers; and examine the level of prominence of science and technology stories by Nigerian newspapers. Premised on the Agenda-Setting Theory, the study adopted a quantitative content analysis research design. From a population of 5,280 newspaper editions, a sample size of 696 editions was selected using the systematic sampling technique, yielding 584 relevant Sci & Tech stories. Findings revealed a steady volume of coverage, with The Punch contributing 51.9% and The Guardian 48.1%. In addition, the paper found that coverage suffered from significantly low editorial prominence, as 87.0% of the stories were relegated to the inside pages, with a mere 8.7% appearing on the front page. The study concluded that while Nigerian newspapers maintain a consistent baseline volume of science and technology reporting, their structural relegation to less prominent pages signals to the public that they are secondary to political and economic news. The paper recommended that editorial boards should elevate significant scientific breakthroughs to front pages to enhance citizen participation in technological development.