REPORTING SMALL SCALE AND MEDIUM ENTREPRISES DURING COVID-19: AN AGENDA-SETTING FUNCTION OF THE MEDIA (A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THISDAY AND VANGUARD NEWSPAPER)
Abstract
This study examined reportage of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) during COVID-19 as an Agenda-Setting function of the media, a content analysis of ThisDay and Vanguard newspaper. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the nature of coverage of SMEs reports by ThisDay and Vanguard newspaper during COVID-19 in Nigeria; to determine the prominence given to SMEs reports by ThisDay and Vanguard newspaper during COVID-19 in Nigeria; also to examine the depth given to SMEs reports by ThisDay and Vanguard newspaper during COVID-19 in Nigeria; and to know the most reported SME by ThisDay and Vanguard newspaper during COVID-19 in Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative content analysis research method in probing the research questions thereby using code guide and code sheet for data collection. Through composite week sampling method, a sample size of 17 editions were chosen for each of the newspapers to make a total edition of 34 of both ThisDay and Vanguard newspapers out of 240 editions of the both newspapers from January to April, 2021 which make the population for our study. To this end, study revealed that both Vanguard and ThisDay newspapers reported small and medium enterprise stories in straight news; it also showed that Vanguard and ThisDay newspapers placed majority of the stories relating to SMEs inside the pages of the newspaper; more so that both newspaper reported small and medium enterprises’ activities in 1-2 columns depicting that the depth used in report of SME events during COVID-19 in Nigeria was low; and that both Vanguard and ThisDay newspaper did not focus specifically on one aspect of the various small and medium enterprises but considered reporting events on SMEs in a general sphere. Study therefore recommended that there is need for the Nigeria media, particularly print to intensify efforts towards covering practical advancement in small and medium enterprises activities and not only focus on mere information emanating from government or other individuals and institutions.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Aderemi1, T. A., Lucas B. Ojo, L. B., Ifeanyi, O. J. & Efunbajo, S. A.(2020). Impact of Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria: A Critical Case Study. AUDOE, Vol. 16, no. 4/2020, pp. 251-261
Adiyoh, I. S.,, Ze, T., Tougem, T. O., Dalibi, S. G. (2020). Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Small and Medium Scale Businesses in Nigeria. International Journal of Research Publications. Vol.6 (1), pp. 1-8. ISSN: 2708-3578
Ameji, E. N., Taiga, U. U. & Amade, M. A. (2020). Covid-19 Pandemic and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMES) in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. Ilorin Journal of Economic Policy. Vol.7(3), pp. 41-50
Anaeto, S. G., Onabajo, O. S., & Osifeso, J. B. (2012). Models and Theories of Communication. USA: African Renaissance Books.
Baran, S. J. & Davis, D. K. (2010). Mass Communication Theory: Foundations, Ferment and Future (6th Edition). USA: WADS WORTH Centage Learning Publisher.
Binns, C. & Low, O. (2015). What is Public Health? Asia Journals of Public Health. Vol. 27(1), pp. 5-6
Boyce, T. & Brown, C. (2019). Economic and Social Impacts and Benefits of Health Sytem. World Health Orgainsation. Regional Office for Europe (Demark). ISBN: 978/92/890/5395/2
Commission on Macroeconomics, WHO (2004). Investigating in Health for Economic Development (Executive summary). Mexico: Unversidad de las Américas, Puebla. ISBN 968-6254-66-8. Retrieved form: https://www.who.int/macrohealth/action/sintesis15novingles.pdf?ua=1
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Situation Report-91 (2020, April 20). Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200420-sitrep-91-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=fcf0670b_4
David, D. (2005). Dictionary of Mass Communication & Media Research: A Guide for Students, Scholars and Professionals. USA: Marquette Books.
Etuk, R. U., Etuk, G. R. & Baghebo, M. (2014). Small And Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) And Nigeria’s Economic Development. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, Vol 5 (7), pp. 657-662. ISSN 2039-2117, Doi:10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n7p656
Gherghina, S. C., Botezatu, M. A., Hosszu, A. &Simionescu, L. N. (2020). Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): The Engine of Economic Growth through Investments and Innovation. Sustainability 2020, 12, 347; doi:10.3390/su12010347. Retrieved from: www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability
Hopkins, D. J., Eunji Kim2, E. & Soojong Kim, S. (2017). Does Newspaper Coverage Influence or Reflect Public Perceptions of the Economy? Research and Politics. DOI: 10.1177/2053168017737900 retrieved from: journals.sagepub.com/home/rap
Husain, M. J. (2010). Contribution of Health to Economic Development: A Survey and Overview. Economics, The Open-Access E-Journal. Vol. 4(14), pp. 1-53.
Ifeagwu, D. (2012). Learner Friendly Approach to Research Methodology. Nigeria: DIC Publishing Company.
Jernign, D. B. (2020). Update: Public Health Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak- United States. US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. Vol 69 (8), pp. 216-219
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. (2nd Edition). New Delhi: New Age Publisher.
KPMG International (2020). Nigeria: Government and Institution Measures in Response to COVID-19 Retrieved from: https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2020/04/nigeria-government-and-institution-measures-in-response-to-covid.html
Looming Threat of CoVID-19 Infection in Africa: Act Collectively, and Fast (2020). The Lancet Infection Diseases. Retrieved From: www.thelancet.com/infection. Retrieved Date: 28/05/2021
Mekwunye, U. (2018). Nigeria: Small And Medium Scale Enterprises In Nigeria – An Overview Of Initial Set Up. Retrieved from: https://www.mondaq.com/nigeria/directors-and-officers/757432/small-and-medium-scale-enterprises-in-nigeria-an-overview-of-initial-set-up
Muritala, T. A, Awolaja, A. M., & Bako, Y. A. (2012). Small and Medium Enterprises and Economic Growth in Nigeria, Acta Universitatis Danubius, vol 8 (3), pp. 45-53
Olaore, G. O., Adejare, B. O., & Udofia, E. E. (2021). the gains and pains of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs): the way forward for entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. Rajagiri Management Journal. Vol. 15 (1), pp. 53-68. E-ISSN: 2633-0091. DOI 10.1108/RAMJ-09-2020-0056
Omojola, O. (2010). Mass Media Interest and Corruption in Nigeria. Unilag Communication Review. Vol. 4(2), pp.21-37
Owolabi, T. O. S. (2014). Implications of the Media Coverage of SMEs for National Development in Nigeria. International Journal of Development and Economic sustainability. Vol. 2(3), pp.45-57
Smith-Binghm, R. and Hariharan, K. (2020). This is the Impact of the Coronavirus on Business. World Economic Forum. Retrieved From: www. Wefor.org, Retrieved Date: 28/05/2021
Stephen, W. L. and Karen, A. F. (2009). Encyclopaedia of Communication Theory. USA: SAGE Publications Inc.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2022 Bolanle Samuel Jolapamo, Bernice Sanusi (PhD)
ISSN (PRINT): 2682 - 6135
ISSN (ONLINE): 2682 - 6127
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.