Ownership Structure and Electoral Coverage Bias in Nigerian Broadcasting: A Content Analysis of Selected Television Stations

Adaobi Olivia Okeke Ph.D

doi:10.56201/rjmcit.vol.12.no4.2026.pg72.92

📄 Download Paper

Ownership Structure and Electoral Coverage Bias in Nigerian Broadcasting: A Content Analysis of Selected Television Stations

Adaobi Olivia Okeke Ph.D

Abstract

This study examined how ownership structure influenced electoral coverage bias in Nigerian broadcasting during the 2023 presidential election. The study focused on two major television stations in Nigeria: Nigerian Television Authority and Africa Independent Television . The research was inspired by growing public concerns about the fairness, objectivity, and political neutrality of broadcast media during election periods, especially in a politically sensitive environment like Nigeria. The study specifically investigated whether the ownership pattern of television stations affected the way political parties, candidates, and electoral issues were reported during the 2023 presidential election campaign. The study was anchored on the Political Economy Theory of the Media, the Agenda-Setting Theory and the Framing Theory, which explained how media ownership and control can shape news content and public perception. Using the content analysis method, the researcher systematically analyzed election- related news stories, political programmes, and campaign reports aired on NTA and AIT within the 2023 presidential election period. The analysis focused on the frequency of coverage given to political parties and candidates, the tone of reports, story prominence, airtime allocation, and the level of balance in political representation. Findings from the study revealed noticeable differences in the electoral coverage patterns of the two stations. The study found that NTA, as a government-owned station, gave more favorable and prominent coverage to the ruling party and government officials during the election period. On the other hand, AIT, which is privately owned, provided relatively more diverse political coverage, although elements of ownership influence and editorial preference were still observed in some reports. The findings further showed that ownership structure plays a significant role in shaping editorial decisions and political framing in Nigerian broadcast media. The study concluded that ownership influence remains a major factor affecting fairness and objectivity in electoral broadcasting in Nigeria. It therefore recommended stricter enforcement of broadcasting regulations, greater editorial independence, and stronger adherence to professional ethics among media practitioners to promote balanced and credible electoral coverage during future elections. Key-Words: Bias, Broadcasting, Electorial Coverage, Ownership structure, Television Stations

References

Abubakre, A. (2024). Media framing of intraparty conflicts during the 2023 Nigerian presidential campaigns. Journal of Political Communication Studies, 12(2), 88–104. Achakpa-Ikyo, J. (2025). Broadcasting and political communication in Nigeria’s digital age. Nigerian Journal of Media Studies, 19(1), 55–72. Adedayo, T., & Asonibare, S. (2026). Fake news and electoral behavior in Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. Journal of African Digital Communication, 8(1), 33–49. Adeniran, R., & Ojebuyi, B. (2023). Media coverage and electoral behaviour in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Communication Studies, 17(2), 101–118. Agbese, D. (2023). Media bias and political reporting in Nigeria. African Journalism Review, 15(1), 44– 60. Ahmad, S., Bello, M., & Yusuf, A. (2026). Newspaper coverage of the 2023 Nigerian presidential election: A comparative analysis of Daily Trust and Vanguard. Journal of Media and Politics, 10(1), 21–39. Arowolo, S. (2024). Media agenda setting and political communication in developing democracies. Journal of Communication Research, 18(2), 67–83. BBC Media Action. (2023). Media, elections and democracy in Africa. BBC Media Action.Betiang, L. (2013). Television broadcasting in Nigeria: Historical development and challenges. Journal of African Media Studies, 5(2), 145–160. Curran, J., & Seaton, J. (2018). Power without responsibility: Press, broadcasting and the internet in Britain (8th ed.). Routledge. Cushion, S. (2018). How the media shapes public opinion in election campaigns. Palgrave Macmillan. Dataphyte Foundation. (2024). Media coverage and electoral transparency in Nigeria’s 2023 elections. Dataphyte Reports. De Vreese, C. H. (2001). Framing politics at the launch of the euro. Political Communication, 18(2), 107– 122. De Vreese, C. H. (2005). News framing: Theory and typology. Information Design Journal, 13(1), 51–62. Deglow, A., & Fjelde, H. (2024). Media framing and electoral dynamics in emerging democracies. International Journal of Press/Politics, 29(1), 77–95. Eke, P., Adeyemi, T., & Ochor, L. (2024). Media ownership and editorial independence in Nigeria. African Media Review, 32(1), 66–84. Ekhareafo, D., & Iruonagbe, T. (2022). Media ownership and political influence in Nigerian broadcasting. Journal of African Communication, 14(2), 90–108. Enganya, A., & Adi, C. (2025). Electoral communication and voter behaviour in Nigeria. Journal of Political Media Studies, 9(1), 45–61. Entman, R. M. (2004). Projections of power: Framing news, public opinion, and U.S. foreign policy. University of Chicago Press. Entman, R. M. (2007). Framing bias: Media in the distribution of power. Journal of Communication, 57(1), 163–173. Fatonji, S., & Owolabi, K. (2025). Ownership pressure and newsroom practices in Nigeria. Journal of Broadcasting & Communication Technology, 7(1), 29–47. Fowler, A. (2020). Negative campaigning and media bias. Political Science Quarterly, 135(3), 421–445. Ibraheem, I. (2025). Media ownership concentration and democracy in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal E-ISSN 2545-529x of Media and Society, 11(2), 73–90. International IDEA. (2024). Elections and media in emerging democracies. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. Lawal, T., Babatunde, R., & Olaoye, O. (2025). Ownership structure and news framing in Nigerian media. Journal of African Media Research, 13(1), 58–76. McChesney, R. W. (2015). Rich media, poor democracy: Communication politics in dubious times. The New Press. McCombs, M., & Shaw, D. (1972). The agenda-setting function of mass media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), 176–187. McCombs, M., Shaw, D., & Weaver, D. (2023). New directions in agenda-setting research. Mass Communication and Society, 26(1), 1–15. McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail’s mass communication theory (6th ed.). Sage Publications.Milosavljević, M., & Poler, M. (2024). Public service media and political influence in Europe. Media, Culture & Society, 46(2), 215–231. Moe, H., & Hovden, J. F. (2024). Broadcasting in the digital era: Continuity and change. Journal of Media Studies, 28(1), 12–28. Mukhongo, L., Mwaura, P., & Omwoha, E. (2024). Media ownership and political influence in Africa. African Journalism Studies, 45(1), 89–105. Napoli, P. M. (2022). Social media and the public interest: Media regulation in the disinformation age. Columbia University Press. National Broadcasting Commission . (2026). Nigeria broadcasting code (7th ed.). NBC.Nielsen, R. K., & Ganter, S. A. (2023). The changing role of news media in democracy. Journalism Studies, 24(3), 345–361. Ojebode, A. (2020). Political communication and media performance in Nigeria. Ibadan Journal of Communication, 7(1), 23–41. Okhakhu, M., & Omoera, O. (2010). Broadcasting and socio-cultural development in Nigeria. Journal of African Media Development, 2(1), 55–70. Okere, M. (2025). Private broadcasting and commercial pressures in Nigeria. International Journal of Media Economics, 14(2), 88–103. Reporters Without Borders. (2025). World press freedom index 2025. RSF. Scheufele, D. A., & Tewksbury, D. (2007). Framing, agenda setting, and priming. Journal of Communication, 57(1), 9–20. Udeze, S., & Ekwugha, U. (2021). Electoral reporting and media bias in Nigeria. Journal of Media Practice, 13(2), 75–92. Ukwueze, C. (2026). Digital misinformation and voter behaviour in Anambra State. Journal of African Political Communication, 6(1), 41–58. Weaver, D. (1996). What voters learn from media. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 546(1), 34–47. Zoizner, A. (2021). The effects of media framing on political attitudes. Political Communication, 38(3), 321–338.

Ownership Structure and Electoral Coverage Bias in Nigerian Broadcasting: A Content Analysis of Selected Television Stations

Abstract

References

More Articles from RESEARCH JOURNAL OF MASS COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY