AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFETIVENESS OF NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF KIDNAPPING IN NIGERIA: A COMPARTIVE STUDY OF THE PUNCH AND DAILY VANGUARD NEWSPAPE

This study examines the coverage of kidnapping incidents in Nigeria by two prominent national newspaper, The Punch and Daily Vanguard, from January to June 2024. By employing a content analysis research design. The study aims to determine the frequency, prominence, and nature of kidnapping reports in theses newspapers. Grounded in the Agenda-Setting and Social Responsibility theories, the research explores how media coverage shapes the public awareness and perception of kidnapping as a critical issues in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape. A sample size of 149 editions from both newspapers was selected using Cochran’s Sample size determination formula and purposive sampling techniques. The content was analysed based on key variables, including frequency, genre prominence, format, and thematic focus. Results were presented through descriptive statistics and analysed using Chi-square to test the hypothesis. The findings revealed a significant difference in the frequency of kidnapping coverage between the Punch and Daily Vanguard, suggesting divergent editorial policies and priorities. This study underscores the media’s role in agenda-setting and how differential reporting influences public discourse on insecurity. Recommendations are provided for more balanced and comprehensive coverage to promote greater public awareness and government action on kidnapping and related security issues in Nigeria.