Abstract: The study assessed newspaper coverage of FIFA World Cup with a particular focus on the Daily Trust and the Punch newspaper. The study anchored on Social Responsibility Media Theory and Agenda Setting Theory to give this study the need footing. A content analysis method was adopted in which coding sheet and content categories were adopted to collect data from Daily Trust and the Punch newspapers. The data were analyzed in descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) while the data were presented with the aids of tables. Findings indicated that In terms of coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Punch newspaper has the most stories with 130 (59.1%), while Daily Trust has the least items with 90 (40.9%). Nigerian newspapers often devote their back pages and inside back pages to sports stories, no wonder about 52.7% of the stories items analyzed were on the back page. Similar to the previous analysis, out of the 220 things analyzed, 202 (90.1%) are news. Also, 110 (50.0%) were portrayed in winning tone (positive). The study recommended that the World Cup is a massive event, and newspapers should provide in-depth coverage that spans all aspects of the tournament. This includes game analysis, player interviews, team profiles, and behind-the-scenes stories.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title Page i
Declaration ii
Turnitin Certification iii
Certification iv
Dedication v
Acknowledgement vi
Table of content vii
List of Table x
Abstract xi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study________________________________________1
1.2 Statement of the Problem _______________________________________4
1.3 Objectives of the Study_________________________________________6
1.4 Research Questions____________________________________________7
1.5 Significance of the Study_______________________________________7
1.6 Scope of the Study____________________________________________8
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms _________________________________9
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction _________________________________________________10
2.1 Conceptual Review: Overview of FIFA 2022 World Cup______________10
2.1.2 Concepts of Daily Trust and Punch Newspapers _____________________11
2.1.3 Meaning of Newspaper and Historical Underpinning _________________12
2.2. Newspapers in Nigeria: Historical Underpinning ____________________ 13
2.3. Roles of the Newspaper in Educating People________________________17
2.4. Roles of the Newspapers in Entertaining People _____________________21
2.5. Roles of Newspapers in Shaping Perceptions ______________________23
2.6 Importance of Newspapers in the Coverage of the World Cup ________ 26
2.7 Theoretical Framework _______________________________________28
2.8. Conclusion ________________________________________________ 29
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction________________________________________________30
3.1 Research Method and Method__________________________________30
3.2 Study Population____________________________________________ 31
3.3 Sample Size ________________________________________________31
3.4 Sampling Technique _________________________________________31
3.5 Units of Analysis ___________________________________________ 32
3.6 Content Categories __________________________________________ 32
3.7 Data Collection Instrument ___________________________________ 33
3.8 Inter-coder Reliability _______________________________________33
3.9 Data Collection Instrument and Data Analysis Method______________34
References_________________________________________________35
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
Introduction _________________________________________________36
4.1 Presentation and Analysis of Data ________________________________37
4.2 Discussions of the Findings_____________________________________40
4.3 Answering of Research Questions _______________________________ 41
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND LIMITATIONS
Introduction________________________________________________44
5.1 Summary__________________________________________________ 44
5.2. Conclusions ________________________________________________41
5.3 Recommendations ___________________________________________46
5.4 Limitations to the Study______________________________________ 47
References
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Since the emergence of publishing technology in China that depended on paper invention as early as first century and the incoming of Gutenberg period that greatly influenced Europe and entire world of ultramodern newspapering (Crowley & Heyer 2007: 82-85), innumerous journals and indeed magazines have surfaced, gradationally expanded to the zenith and ultimately dissolved. Some publications had a veritably long life span and were resistant to sociopolitical, environmental and technological factors that crippled newspaper industry. Nevertheless, majority, if not all that started in that period, ultimately demised at infant or progressed stage before this Century. The rapid development of media closely linked to the information technology revolution has changed the way people think, produce, consume, buy and sell goods, conduct business and other people, communicate with each other, live, die, and show love (Griffin, 2017). This has made almost everything change and becomes new. The media’s aim is to help determine society’s vision and understanding of sports. In a way, the media gives a narrative that exerts a didactic influence on the understanding of sports and society’s vision. Hyuk-Lee et al. (2019) give an idea of the mass media as sources of information about current events that are of growing interest.
Based in the nation’s capital, Abuja, Daily Trust is the largest circulating newspaper in the northern part of the country and one of the top 7 national dailies which debuted in January 2001. It is one of the several titles published by Media Trust Limited, a private company which started Weekly Trust in March 1998 as a precursor to the daily title, community based titles (Kano Chronicles and Aminiya), and pan-African magazine (Kilamanjaro), among others. The company’s website archive describes them as, profit-driven and general interest, publications oscillating between libertarian ideals and social responsibility; thriving on the professional strength of its board of directors and editorial team whose chair, Kabiru Yusuf, was an academic, former BBC correspondent, and editor of Daily Triumph, Today and Citizen magazine. From its reach, content (including adverts), directors and workers, one cannot fail to sniff its northern undertone despite claim to national outlook.
Like the Media Trust, Punch Newspaper Limited also came into being as a profit-making publishing company in 1965. It was principally intended to improve the economic lot of the proprietors, workers and ultimately the nation at large, in addition to the triadic functions of journalism: information, education and entertainment. It commenced publication in 1971 with the Home magazine, and debuted Sunday Punch and The Punch (daily) in March 1973 and November 1976 respectively. Owned by James Aboderin and Sam Amuka (before they parted ways), The Punch began as a soft, popular tabloid based in Lagos, before venturing into socio-political commentaries in 1980s. This opened a vista of confrontation with the successive military regimes which attempted intermittently to gag it by shutting down the company and detaining its editors. Today The Punch is one of the largest circulating national dailies from the South boasting a readership of 80,000. From its founders, editors, workers, content and location, one can feel its diametricality with the Trust titles (Aliagan, 2015).
The 2022 FIFA World Cup that took place in Qatar, marking the first time the event held in the Middle East. As one of the most watched sporting events in the world, the media coverage of the World Cup is essential in providing fans around the globe with up-to-date news, scores, and analyses of the matches. However, media coverage is not only limited to just the sporting events; it also includes the social, economic, and political aspects of hosting the World Cup in Qatar. The media coverage of the World Cup FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 boasts the largest history with thousands of media professionals and journalists covering the tournament events. According to CNBC-Arabiya TV channel report, Qatar does not interfere in media content, and that it has facilitated the media outlets in Qatar to report the World Cup atmosphere to the world. The ‘Eye on Qatar’ programme’s report drove home that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 had the largest international media coverage in the tournament history. It also noted the tournament’s growing interest in digital platforms, while keeping the traditional role of television in broadcasting, analyzing matches and airing fan reactions (Gulf-Times, 2022).
According to FIFA (the Fédération Internationale de Football association), around three billion people watched at least one minute of the World Cup (WC) Final the men’s soccer world championship played every four year since 1930 (Wahl, 2014). Undoubtedly, the final of the WC is one of the most popular media events, very much akin to the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games or the wedding of a member of the British royal family.
The Qatar media coverage on the abuse of migrant workers in Qatar during the construction of the World Cup stadiums for 2022, the issue is controversial and has had an impact on the way journalists report. It has created a stir among news media in the West, like The Guardian and Russia Today, and Human Rights organizations. This in turn has affected the way journalists are now covering the story. There are certain structural influences imposing order on parts of the Qatari media’s coverage and therefore it is important and relevant to the field of journalism studies.
At the World Cup 2022 events in Qatar, the Daily Trust and the Punch newspaper have been recognized as award-winning media teams reporting on every game with decent coverage and print. The Daily Trust and Punch newspapers have all during the competition been reporting on sports, human rights, the experience of LGBTQ+ people in Qatar and other critical issues surrounding the 2022 World Cup, in a dedicated series that goes beyond football (Dorsey, 2015). The Daily Trust and Punch newspapers have made sure they gave extensive daily coverage of events both on and off the pitch, including; live minute match coverage of all 64 tournament games, as well as match analysis, reports and columns from the Daily Trust and Punch newspapers.
The tournament prize money for the national football association has steadily increased over the past few decades. The previous year in Russia, the teams received an amount of 400 million US dollars and the winning nation was rewarded with around 38 million US dollars. Also, teams that reach the last 32 teams have earned themselves an achievement, not only in sporting terms but also in financial terms. Teams eliminated in the group stage will each receive a total of $8 million. The FIFA World Cup (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) attracts worldwide attention and receives very high ratings (Allison and Monnington, 2019). Public interest in these mega-events continues to grow (Ataullah, 2017) and their coverage across all channels and media platforms is almost impossible to avoid (Haynes & Boyle, 2017). This international attention offers the host countries of these events a good opportunity to achieve political, strategic and marketing goals, such as tourists (Blitz, 2020).
In other words, hosting mega sporting events can be seen as a “foreign policy strategy to enhance the country’s position of power at the international level through what is referred to as ‘soft power’” (Brannagan and Giulianoti, 2015). Therefore, for the soft power strategy to be most effective, it is essential that the content of a country’s values, politics and culture conveyed through the media is attractive (Nye, 2018). The daily trust and the punch newspapers has showcase numerous programs or productions shown during the coverage of 2022 world cup in Qatar the major sporting events which provide audiences with compelling impressions.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Newspapers, which constitute the vocal and vibrant press, have consistently championed the fight against colonialism, and been crusading for democracy, human rights and good governance in Nigeria, the Newspaper industry has been regarded as one of the biggest industry as it has been growing from strength to strength over the years. Despite the constant assaults by successive despotic regimes, it has been able to survive and currently it serves as an employer of a myriad of workers. Interestingly, the Draconian laws promulgated to stifle the development of the Newspaper industry have only left it stronger (Fandy, 2007).
Researchers have already studied many aspects of the world cup media coverage; studies have notably been conducted on two main topics. Firstly, scholars have focused on the financial stakes and have particularly discussed the case of broadcasting rights. In fact, since the first live broadcast of the WC in 1954, the fees paid by the television channel to broadcast the games have increased with each tournament. Taking into account the constant development of national television but also the creation of supranational networks in the likes of Eurovision and then Mondi vision which offered new possibilities to organize the broadcasting of the most important international sports events, like the Olympic Games or the World Cup from the beginning of the 1960s. Soccer leaders from both national and international organizations have negotiated with the newspaper representatives to obtain money for broadcasting the games.
Secondly, scholars Bill, 2002: Jane, 2001; John, 2000; and Mary, 2003) have emphasized the fact that soccer has played an important role in the development of printing industry itself. The first director of the Eurovision Programme Commission, Swiss Marcel Bezençon, indicated that if the Eurovision network was launched on June 1954, it was mainly due to the World Cup being played at that time. The many academic pieces on the Qatari media’s domestic coverage have identified a lack of transparency with which journalists in the country report. Many academics and journalists (Fandy, 2007; Rugh, 2004; Dorsey, 2014; Maalouf, 2008; El Nawawy & Iskandar, 2002) have concluded that there is a definitive absence of local news in Qatar’s own news agenda and the reports they publish are selective.
The 2022 World Cup is one of the most highly anticipated global sporting events, attracting the attention of millions of football fans worldwide. As such, the media plays a crucial role in providing information and analysis of the tournament. However, there is a need to assess the quality and quantity of newspaper coverage of the 2022 World Cup, particularly in Nigeria, where football is a popular sport. Against this backdrop, this research aims at the assessment of newspaper coverage of world cup 2022 with a particular focus on Daily Trust and the Punch newspapers.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The core objective of this study is to assess newspaper coverage of FIFA World Cup 2022. Hence, the specific objectives are as follows:
- To determine the frequency of coverage of FIFA World Cup 2022 by the Daily Trust and Punch newspapers.
- To ascertain the direction of reports by the Nigerian newspapers of FIFA World Cup 2022
- To assess the categories of reports by the selected newspapers on FIFA World Cup 2022
- To find out the prominence given to FIFA World Cup 2022 by the selected Nigerian newspapers.
1.4 Research Questions
In order to explicate the aforementioned objectives, the listed questions provide answers to the research problem:
- What is the frequency of coverage of FIFA World Cup 2022 by the Daily Trust and Punch newspapers?
- What is the direction of reports by the Nigerian newspapers of FIFA World Cup 2022?
- What are the categories of reports by the selected newspapers on FIFA World Cup 2022
- What is the prominence given to the coverage of World Cup 2022 by the Daily Trust and Punch newspapers?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The purpose of this research on the assessment of media coverage of world cup 2022, a case study of Daily Trust and Punch newspaper. It will educate media practitioners and stakeholders in the industry about the role media coverage and the role it play in the growth of the sport business, pique their interest in collaborating with the mass media. The findings of this study will contribute to the understanding of how Nigerian newspapers cover global sporting events and the factors that influence their coverage. The results may be used to guide future reporting and editorial decisions, as well as inform media literacy initiatives aimed at improving critical thinking and analysis of media content.
The study will increase the body of knowledge by the findings and discovery made by the researcher this include:
Media studies: It could contribute to the field of media studies by analyzing how different newspapers cover a major sporting event like the World Cup. The study could examine the editorial policies, news values, and agenda setting of the two newspapers and how these factors shape their coverage.
Sports journalism: It could contribute to the field of sports journalism by analyzing the quality of coverage of the World Cup by Daily Trust and Punch newspapers. This could involve examining the accuracy, objectivity, and fairness of the news reports and feature stories published by the two newspapers.
Public opinion: It could also contribute to understanding public opinion and attitudes towards the World Cup. This could involve analyzing how the newspapers’ coverage influences public perceptions and attitudes towards the tournament, including the teams, players, and overall experience.
Comparative analysis: It could also provide a comparative analysis of the coverage of the World Cup by different newspapers in Nigeria, as well as the coverage of the tournament by newspapers in other countries. This could provide insights into how the media in different countries approach coverage of a major international event like the World Cup. Additionally, the study will help increase the existing knowledge due to the contribution and findings discovered.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The study that assessed the newspaper coverage of the World Cup 2022 has been narrowed in scope to the Daily Trust and the Punch newspapers. November 20, 2022, to December 18, 2022, were the study’s timeframes. Due to the fact that the 2022 FIFA World Cup was being held during those dates, November 20, 2022, to December 18, 2022, was chosen. The game was played in 29 days, but for the purpose of this study, an additional two (2) days (editions) before the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two (2) after were added because newspapers also covered the celebration of the champion and other post-2022 FIFA World Cup side events.
1.7 Operational Definition of the Terms
Assessment: In this study, to assess means the process of gathering information regarding FIFA World Cup 22022 and evaluate it to make informed decisions.
Daily Trust: This is one of the national dailies in Nigeria, it is a general newspaper, located in Abuja.
FIFA World Cup 2022: This is the last FIFA World Cup played in 2022 in Qatar, it was played between 20 November to 18 December 2022 where Argentina won the trophy and the second run-off was France.
Newspaper Coverage: In this research, newspaper coverage refers to how the news stories, articles, editorials, and other content about FIFA World Cup 2022 are reported by both the Punch newspaper and the Daily Trust newspaper.
Punch newspaper: Again, this is another newspaper, often regarded as mostly wide read in Nigeria, is located in Lagos and it is a general newspaper as well.
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