The framing of climate change in the editorials of two Nigerian newspapers, 2021-2025

Abstract

This study examined newspaper editorials on climate change and its impact on public health in Nigeria from 2021 to 2025, using a sample from The Guardian and The Punch newspapers. Based on the theories of agenda-setting and framing, a sample of 46 editorials selected out of a population of 3284 were analysed for the type of editorial, the dominant frames, and the slant of the editorials. In terms of the type, news editorials and speculative editorials were used most, with the environmental frame the dominant frame. In terms of the slant, most of the editorials were in support of more concerted efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change on public health. Despite the number of editorials published during the period under review, there was a dearth of editorials on climate change. The fact that just more than 1% of the total number of editorials published in both newspapers during the period focused on climate change is an indication of the (lack of) relevance of the topic. Given the implications for public health as a result of climate change, it is clear that, in the context of agenda-setting, the frequency of coverage should increase significantly for climate change to enter the public discourse. Based on the findings of this and other studies, a human interest focus is necessary to make the topic less abstract and more relevant to the audience’s daily lives.