MEDIA FRAMING OF THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE DEBATE: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF SELECTED ONLINE NEWSPAPERS
Abstract
Abstract
This study examines the media framing of Nigeria’s national minimum wage debate in selected online newspapers using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Framing Theory. The research investigates dominant frames, linguistic strategies, and ideological implications in news coverage between January 2023 and July 2024. A qualitative design was adopted, with 40 purposively sampled articles from Premium Times and Vanguard Online analysed for patterns of language, representation, and framing. Findings indicate that Nigerian digital newspapers actively shape the minimum wage discourse rather than merely report it. Three dominant frames were identified: the conflict frame, highlighting tensions between government and labour; the economic constraint frame, justifying reluctance to increase wages; and the social justice frame, appealing to fairness and workers’ dignity. CDA revealed power asymmetries, with elite voices prioritised over those of workers, although occasional worker-focused reporting provided spaces for alternative perspectives. The study concludes that Nigerian online newspapers both reproduce and challenge ideological positions, shaping public perception and reinforcing socio-political hierarchies. It underscores the role of media discourse in constructing social meaning and influencing debates on labour and economic policy in Nigeria.
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