Assessing Media Ownership and The Coverage of Social Movements in Kano State, Nigeria

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Abstract

This study examines how patterns of media ownership and control influence the coverage of social movements in Kano State, Nigeria. Anchored on Framing Theory and Agenda-setting theory, the research investigates the relationship between ownership structures, editorial independence and the framing of social movements such as the #EndSARS protests, the 2020 palliative-looting crisis and the #JusticeForHanifa campaign. A survey design was adopted with 120 questionnaires distributed among journalists, mass communication students and media consumers in Kano; 90 valid responses (75%) were returned. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that media ownership significantly influences how social movements are framed in the news. Ownership control often constrains journalistic independence, forcing reporters to align with the owner's interests. Additionally, audiences are highly perceptive of media bias, which affects their trust in news reports. The study concludes that ownership is a key factor shaping media content in Kano. It recommends stronger professional ethics for journalists, clearer regulatory frameworks to protect editorial independence, and increased media literacy for the public to critically evaluate news sources.

Keywords

media ownership, control, social movements, Kano State, framing theory, propaganda model, Marxist theory.

Selected References

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