A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF MEDIA COVERAGE OF

THE 2012 FLOOD IN DELTA STATE; A FOCUS ON THE

PRINT MEDIA
BY
IDJAI CYNTHIA TCHOJA
DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY,
ABRAKA, NIGERIA
MARCH, 2014
1
A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF MEDIA COVERAGE OF
THE 2012 FLOOD IN DELTA STATE; A FOCUS ON THE
PRINT MEDIA
BY
IDJAI CYNTHIA TCHOJA
FSS/CE/08/0/14!!"
A RESEARCH #ORK SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
MASS COMMUNICATION,
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE,
DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY,
ABRAKA, NIGERIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE RE$UIREMENT FOR THE
A#ARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE %B&S'&( DEGREE IN MASS
COMMUNICATION
MARCH, 2014
2
CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that this research work was carried by IDJAI, C)*+,-.
T',/0. in the Department of Mass Communication Delta state University
Abraka Under the supervision of Dr. Grade Imoh

D1& G1.23 I4/, D.+3
P1/03'+ S56317-8/1

D1& N9.**3 B&U D.+3
H3.2 /: D36.1+43*+

E;+31*.< E;.4-*31 D.+3
DEDICATION
3
This pro!ect work is dedicated to God Almi"hty for his love and mercies
which kept me all throu"h the course of this pro"ramme. Thank you
sweet #esus
To my Mum and Dad$ Dr. and Mrs. %. Id!ai and
To My siblin"s$ &amuel$ Desmond and Dou"las$ I love you all.
To 'male #ohn (waoche$ I will never for"et the advice and words of
encoura"ement you "ave me durin" your short stay on earth. Continue to
rest in )eace Dear friend
ACKNO#LEDGEMENT
4
I acknowled"e and e*press my profound "ratitude to God for
"uidin" and protectin" me throu"hout the course of my study. I am so
"rateful +ord.
I acknowled"e and e*press my sincere "ratitude to my supervisor$
Dr. Grade Imoh for his constructive criticism$ fatherly advice$ assistance
and "uidance without whose effort this work would not have materialised.
I am also "rateful to my sweet and ever lovin" Mum$ for her
financial and moral support. Thank you for your love$ your words were
source of encoura"ement to me. ,ou are the best.
My sincere appreciation "oes to all lecturers in the department of
mass communication Dr. (.M.- Mo!aye$ Dr. .wanne$ %.U$ Mr. 'sa/ee0
'dia$ Dr. Ayanwu$ %.C$ Mr. I!eh$ ..).$ Dr. 1.) 'lise$ Ms. '"beni$ #.'.$
Dr. Ufuophu0%iri (mmanuel$ Dr. Ma!ority '!i$ Mr. Tebekaemi$ ).$ Mr.
'!oboh +ucky$ Mrs. '/iwele$ ).' for tutorin" me all these years and also
the non0lecturin" staff$ Mr. 2esiena (!ovi$ Mrs 'kitikpi (li/abeth and
others for their administrative #ob throu"hout the period. I say a bi" thank
you to every one of you.
I am very "rateful to Mr. Ichipi0Ifukor )atrick for providin" me
with relevant materials which aided the completion of this study.
I also thank specially my one and only 34unieluv5 (namuotor
&imon for his love$ care and understandin" always. I appreciate you alot
and you will always be my Dearie.
5
2udos also "oes to all my friends (dith$ #udith$ Annieluv$ Ifeoma$
Miss Dee$ -ictoria$ Mimi$ -woke$ Maro$ %le and %lessin"$ 6ume$
6onney$ (siri$ (mmy$ Ale*$ and those I did not mention$ you are not all
for"otten. I love you all and thank you for bein" a part of my success
story.
1inally$ I want to thank my coursemates whose names are too
numerous to mention$ my hostel mates and fans in Delsu. I appreciate you
all and may God Almi"hty in his infinite love bless you all. Amen.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title )a"e i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
6
Acknowled"ements iv
Table of Contents vi
Abstract *
7.8 CHAPTER ONE= INTRODUCTION
7.7 %ack"round to &tudy 7
7.9 &tatement of )roblem :
7.; 'b!ectives of the &tudy <
7.: 6esearch =uestion >
7.< &i"nificance of &tudy ?
7.> &cope of the &tudy ?
7.? Definition of Terms @
9.8 CHAPTER T#O= LITERATURE REVIE# AND
THEORETICAL FRAME#ORK
9.7 Introduction A
9.7.7 Meanin" of 1lood A
9.7.9 Causes of 1loodin" 78
9.9 Types of 1loodin" 7;
9.9.7 Tidal floodin" 7;
9.9.9 1luvial floodin" 7:
9.9.; 1lash floodin" 7<
9.9.: Ground Bater 7<
7
9.9.< )luvial 1loodin" 7<
9.9.> 1loodin" from &ewers 7>
9.9.? 1loodin" from Manmade Infrastructure 7?
9.; Tra"edies of 1loodsC The .i"erian (*perience 7?
9.: Methods of 1lood Control and Mana"ement 99
9.< The Mass Media and (nvironmental 6eporta"e 9>
9.> 1lood 6eporta"e in .i"erian )rint Media 9@
9.? Theoretical 1ramework ;7
>&0 CHAPTER THREE= RESEARCH METHOD
;.7 Introduction ;:
;.9 6esearch Desi"n ;:
;.; )opulation of the &tudy ;:
;.: &ample si/e ;<
;.< &amplin" TechniDues ;<
;.> Instrument for Data Collection ;<
;.? TechniDue for Content Analysis ;>
;.@ TechniDues of Data analysis and )resentation ;>
;.A +imitation of the &tudy ;>
4&0 CHAPTER FOUR= DATA PRESENTATION AND
ANALYSIS
:.7 Introduction ;@
:.7.7 6esearch =uestion 'ne ;@
:.7.9 6esearch =uestion Two ;@
8
:.7.;.7 6esearch =uestion Three :8
:.9 Discussion of 1indin"s EAnswer to 6esearch =uestionsF :9
"&0 CHAPTER FIVE= SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION
<.7 &ummary of 1indin"s :A
<.9 Conclusion <9
<.; 6ecommendation <;
6eferences <:
A663*2-; "8
ABSTRACT
This study assessed the print media covera"e of 9879 flood events
in Delta state. The ma!or ob!ective is to evaluate the e*tent to which the
print media reported events that concerned the flood. Theoretically$ the
study was anchored on the framin" theoryG the study used a survey
research desi"n that involved content analysis of 78 editions of The
-an"uard .ewspaper and &i* editions of The )ointer .ewspaper between
&eptember$ 98
th
9879 and .ovember ;8
th
9879. Arisin" from the
9
research$ it was discovered that there was no story that focused on the
events that led to the 9879 flood in Delta &tate. The mostly used format
for report was pictorial representations and headlines as this formed the
basis of discussions on the issues concernin" the 9879 flood. A total of
;@E788HF stories were published on the 9879 flood by The )ointer and
-an"uard .ewspapers of which 99E<?.AHF of the stories focused on
Delta state. The study also found out that the response of Government and
.on Governmental or"ani/ations to the events of the flood was prompt as
they set up various committees and camps that catered for the needs of
those that were displaced by the flood. 'n casualties$ of the flood$ The
)ointer carried four stories while The -an"uard carried two stories. 'ther
stories focused ma!orly on press statements from the Government and
camp situations. In relation to feedback$ there were no indications of a
specific feedback mechanism employed to "et those who were affected by
the flood in the reporta"e of the 9879 flood events. The study concluded
that the print media was at the centre of media covera"e of the events of
the 9879 flood in Delta state and recommends that covera"e of events
such as this should entail the events that led to the flood so that
Government can learn from the situation and take precautionary measures
to prevent the floods in the future.
1&0 CHAPTER ONE= INTRODUCTION
1&1 B.'?@1/5*2 +/ +,3 S+52)
Accordin" to the o*ford advanced learners dictionary$ a flood is a
hi"h water level that overflows the natural Eand or artificialF levees alon"
any portion of a stream. It is common throu"hout the world and it is a
10
natural response of a river or stream or mere draina"e valleyIchannel that
has too much water to cope with EAdero"ba$ 9879F. 4eavy rainfall
Ecombine with snow melt in the temperate re"ionsF causes channels to be
overtopped$ and flood waters sur"e over the nei"hborin" floodplain. It is
usually 3very lar"e body of water coverin" the land that were usually dry
and beyond its banks.5 It destroys farm lands$ properties$ industrial
installations$ roads$ railways$ residences and it carries people away. In
other words$ it is usually abrupt$ accidental$ destructive and harmful. It is
usually very devastatin" to any community and our nation it affects
economically and socially. Thou"h$ sometimes$ it is not without some
advanta"es EAdero"ba$ 'redipe$ 'derinde and Afelumo$ 9879F.
'ccurrences of floods in the cities and towns of .i"eria in recent times
have been "reat concern and challen"e to the people$ Governments and
researchers$ E 'riola 9888$ and Adero"ba et$ al.$ 9879F.
The mass media however$ are diversified media technolo"ies that
are intended to reach a lar"e audience by mass communication. The
technolo"y throu"h which this communication takes place varies.
%roadcast media such as radio$ recorded music$ film and television
11
transmit their information electronically. )rint media use a physical ob!ect
such as a newspaper$ book$ pamphlet or comics$ to distribute their
information E1ourie$ 988@F. At a broader level media can be divided in to
two types$ news media and non0news media includin" newspapers$
television and internet$ news media are all actively providin" news and
information on all happenin"s across the world$ whereas non news media
"enerally include the entertainment media responsible for providin"
entertainment to each and every echelon of society E4olbrook$ Timothy
988<F Media is the important element of society and every part of the
specific society rely on media for information seekin". Media is actively
performin" its functions ran"in" from providin" information to
entertainment$ but surveillance is one of its crucial roles. %y informin"
"eneral public$ media has to play a vital function not only to inform but
also to make consensus amon"st public on certain issues. This is also the
formation of public opinion and perception throu"h media$ thus media is
providin" information at one end and makin" public opinion and
perception on the other hand by providin" the complete information on
any story. The media acts accordin" to the circumstances and situations$ it
12
likes to support specific point of view on some issues and this is all done
because media is the vi"ilant pillar to provide basic and instant news
covera"e on all aspects. Accordin" to Ayesha$ 9877G 3Media could be
stron" enou"h throu"h its surveillance function$ and it can have a very
stron" impact throu"h contemporary news media5. Thus throu"h modern
advancements and access to information throu"h print or electronic
media$ it is possible to brin" up to date news reporta"e within a twinkle of
an eye.
1&2 S+.+343*+ /: P1/A<34
Media is an important element of society and every part of the
specific society rely on media for information seekin". Media is actively
performin" its functions ran"in" from providin" information to
entertainment. This they do by various types and form of news reporta"e
and pro"rammes. It is noteworthy that the media was at the centre of
13
fulfillin" their function durin" the occurrence of the flood disaster that
occurred durin" between &eptember and 'ctober 9879. This flood was so
serious that lives and properties were lost livin" many people homeless.
In all of these$ the media was at the centre of providin" information on the
e*tent to which the flood has impacted on lives and properties and the
various interventions that came from "overnment and non "overnmental
a"encies. This covera"e occurred in different forms throu"h news flashes$
cartoons headlines$ editorials and photo"raphs. It is a"ainst this backdrop
that this study hopes to assess media covera"e of the 9879 flood in Delta
state with special focus on the print media. &pecifically$ the ma!or
ob!ective of this study is to find out the e*tent to which the print media
reported the events of the flood and the post flood interventions by
"overnment and .on "overnmental a"encies.
1&> OA03'+-738 /: +,3 S+52)
This study is driven by the followin" ob!ectives.
7. To determine the e*tent to which the print media covered the
events of the 9879 flood from be"innin" to end.
14
9. To determine the formats used in the covera"e of the 9879 flood
events in Delta stateJ
;. To determine the freDuency of covera"e of the flood events in Delta
state.
:. To determine the level of "overnments response to the events of
flood in Delta state.
<. To determine the ma!or headlines used by the print media houses in
covera"e of the 9879 flood events.
>. To determine the feedback mechanism used by the media to ensure
the involvement of the people affected by flood
1&4 R383.1', $538+-/*
In order to actuali/e the said ob!ectives$ the followin" research
Duestions will be answered at the end of the study.
7. Bhat is the e*tent of the print media cover of the events that led to
the flood and its effect in Delta &tateJ
15
9. Bhat is the format that was mostly used by the print media in the
covera"e of the flood events in Delta stateJ
;. Bhat is the freDuency of covera"e of the 9879 flood events in Delta
stateJ
:. 4ow did the "overnment and non "overnmental a"encies respond
to the events of the 9879 floodsJ
<. Bhat are the ma!or headlines used by the print media houses in the
covera"e of the 9879 flood events in Delta stateJ
>. Bhat feedback mechanism was used by the media to ensure the
involvement of the people affected by the floodJ
1&" S-@*-:-'.*'3 /: S+52)
At the end of this study$ the study will be of importance to media
practitioners and researchers$ "overnment and all educational institutions.
It will be a primary source of documentation of the flood incidence and
16
evaluation of the response level of "overnment and non "overnment
a"encies to natural disasters like this. The study when completed$ will
also contribute to the pool of literatures available in print media studies$
thus will act as a reference point for students and researchers of
communication studies in that area of speciali/ation.
1&B S'/63 /: +,3 S+52)
This study is an assessment of media covera"e of the recent flood
in delta state with special focus on the print media. Thus it will review
literatures on the importance of the media in news dissemination$ ori"in
and importance of the print media$ and the role of the print media in the
formation of public opinions. It will be limited to a content analysis of the
e*tent of covera"e of the flood events in one national newspaper EThe
-an"uardF and one state owned newspaper EThe )ointerF.
1&! D3:-*-+-/* /: T3148
In relation to this study$ the followin" definitions will be used as the
operational definition of terms.
17
A8838843*+= This is the process of "atherin"$ analy/in"$ interpretin" and
usin" information about an event EThe 1loodF to !ud"e the impact of that
event.
M32-. C/731.@3= This is a form of !ournalistic reporta"e of an event
EThe 1lood IncidenceF to the public in the -an"uard and )ointer
.ewspaper.
P1-*+ M32-.= The print media is any form or medium responsible for
"atherin" and publishin" news in the form of newspapers or ma"a/ines
F<//2= a hi"h water level that overflows the natural Eand or artificialF
levees alon" any portion of a stream. It is common throu"hout the world
and it is a natural response of a river or stream or mere draina"e
valleyIchannel that has too much water to cope with
2&0 CHAPTER T#O= LITERATURE REVIE# AND
THEORETICAL FRAME#ORK
2&1 I*+1/25'+-/*
This chapter entails the review of related literatures and the
theoretical bases for carryin" out this study. &pecifically$ it will review
studies that has been done on media covera"e of environmental issues as
18
it relates to flood and the discussion of the framin" theory as the
theoretical bases for the study.
2&1&1 M3.*-*@ /: F<//2
1lood which is a body of water which moves over and above an
area of land which is not normally submer"ed is a common environmental
problem in .i"eria. It could also be seen as the inundation of an area not
normally covered with water$ throu"h a temporary rise in level of stream$
river$ lake or sea. +ike drou"ht$ flood is usually described as disaster
E'yebande$ 7A?<F. The problems created by this natural event are
worsened by human ne"ative interaction with the environment. 4ence$ it
may be induced by manKs misuse and si"nificant alteration in the
environment. &ince the 7A>8s$ human activities have led to a hi"h
increase in flood deaths and dama"es. )resently$ flood contributes to
about ;AH of "lobal death from natural disasters EMiller$ 7AAAF.
&ome floods may brin" about little dama"e and are usually soon
for"otten$ e*cept by those most directly affected. 'thers may boil down
to ma!or disaster which may involve structural and erosional dama"e$ loss
of lives and property$ disruption of socioeconomic activities$ destruction
19
of a"ricultural land$ contamination of water and the environment in
"eneral as well as displacement of human bein"s.
2&1&2 C.5838 /: F<//2-*@
The most re"ular or common form of floodin" in .i"eria is natural
1loodin" throu"h streams and is caused primarily by e*cessive down
pour. This invariably causes water in the stream or river to flow beyond
its boundary to nearby settlements. 1lood can also manifest alon" marine
coasts from wind0driven storm sur"es and rain0swollen streams associated
with tropical typhoons and hurricanes. %esides$ floodin" can also occur
on the shorelines of lar"e inland lakes. 4owever$ several causes are
responsible for flood to occur. The most important are the
climatolo"ically causes. The usual universal cause of floods is heavy or
e*cessively prolon"ed rainfall or even both. In an area that is already
saturated with water$ smaller amount of rainfall may also produce
floodin". 1urthermore$ in .i"eria$ other causes of which climatolo"ically
factors are only parts or indirectly responsible includeG
I. 1loodin" of low lyin" coasts by e*cessively hi"h tides
associated with storm0sur"e effect.
20
II. 6ivers and tributaries carryin" water floors very much in e*cess
of their transportin" capacities due to concentration of runoff.
III. 4eavy rainfall synchroni/in" with spills of rivers.
I-. Main rivers backin" up the water in their tributaries.
-. InadeDuate and inefficient draina"e of low lyin" and flat areas
to the overflow.
-I. )ondin" back of stream flow by risin" tides$ particularly durin"
sprin" tide conditions.
-II. )eak floods occurrin" at the same time in a main river and its
tributaries. E.(&T$ 7AA7F.
As an environmental ha/ard$ floodin" is$ however$ not totally a natural
phenomenon. 1lood becomes a ha/ard when it impin"es unfavourably on
human activity as it freDuently does because of the affinity which man
tends to have for flood plains and coastal location. 4ence$ a ma!or cause
of floodin" is human interaction with his environment in the form of
urbani/ation$ a"ricultural activities and deforestation E("benta$ 988:F.
Activities of man are undoubtedly assumin" "reater importance as a cause
of floodin". As urbani/ation intensifies$ natural surfaces are replaced$
21
which do not allow water to percolate readily into the "round. The effect
is that a lar"e proportion of the rainfall which should normally infiltrate
into the soil or be intercepted by the ve"etation and thus be delayed for
some time before runnin" off$ is immediately available for surface run0off
into streams and rivers$ makin" them flood.
%esides attempt by man to harness available water resources have
resulted in the construction of dams and other water control structures.
The failures of these structures have resulted in floods. A "ood e*ample is
the collapse of the %a"auda Dam near 2ano in 7A@@. This had disastrous
environmental conseDuences. 1urthermore$ the encroachment of buildin"s
on the flood plains of streams and rivers flowin" throu"h towns and cities$
and the deposition of waste materials in their courses do facilitate
floodin". Thus$ bad plannin" also brin"s about floods$ in addition to the
natural rain0induced causes.
2&2 T)638 /: F<//2-*@
The various types of floodin" are discussed below.
2&2&1 T-2.< :<//2-*@
22
%oth &ea and river defenses may be overtopped or breached by a
combination of low pressure weather systems and peak hi"h tides. &torms
with hi"h wind speeds cause tall and powerful waves and low pressure
fronts cause sea levels to rise above normal levels. 4i"h tide levels vary
throu"h the lunar and solar cycle and when superimposed upon other tidal
variations e*ceptionally hi"h tides result. The onset of floodin" from the
sea and tidal rivers is often sudden and the e*treme forces drivin" it
present a si"nificant dan"er to life. The east coast storm sur"e of 7A<;
claimed ;8? peopleLs lives in the U2 and 7$@;< in 4olland. A similar
storm sur"e tide in &eptember 988? came within a few centimeters of
breachin" a number of the U2Ls coastal defenses. It is often possible to
forecast$ with reasonable accuracy$ this type of floodin" due to the
predictability of the tide and track ability of low pressure systems. The
duration of this type of floodin" is also limited by the cycle of the tides
where draina"e is available EDance and 4ynes$ 7A@8F.
2&2&2 F<57-.< :<//2-*@
1loodin" occurs in the floodplains of rivers when the capacity of
water courses is e*ceeded as a result of rainfall or snow and ice melts
23
within catchment areas further upstream. %locka"es of water Courses and
flood channels or tide lockin" may also lead to pon"in" and risin" water
levels. 6iver defenses may then be overtopped due to increased water
levels$ or breached by lar"e ob!ects of debris carried at hi"h water
velocities. 1loodin" from rivers has in recent years been e*perienced in
the &evern -alley$ in &heffield$ in 4ull from the river 4umber in 988?
and Carlisle on the river (den in 988>. The onset can be Duite slow in
some catchments with steadily risin" water levels.
2&2&> F<.8, :<//2-*@
1lash floodin" can occur in steep catchments and is far more
immediate. 1loodin" from rivers$ particularly$ in reco"ni/ed floodplains$
can usually be predicted with "ood accuracy. 4owever flash 1loods from
sudden downpours such as those in Carlisle continue to challen"e the
capability of detection and forecastin" systems. Bater over about 9<8 mm
in depth may carry debris particularly in urban locations and can also be
very cold. (ven travellin" at low speeds this can make it e*tremely
ha/ardous to people cau"ht in it.
2&2&4 G1/5*2 #.+31
24
+ow lyin" areas sittin" over aDuifers may periodically flood as
"round water levels rise. This type of floodin" is often seasonal and
therefore can be forecasted with "ood accuracy. It is often slow in its
onset.
2&2&" P<57-.< F<//2-*@
&urface water floodin" is caused by rainwater run0off from urban
and rural land with low absorbency. Increased intensity of development in
urban areas has "iven rise to land with a lar"er proportion of non0
permeable surfaces$ a problem often e*acerbated by overloaded and out0
dated draina"e infrastructure. These circumstances$ combined with
intense rainfall$ can "ive rise to locali/ed floodin".
This sort of floodin" often occurs outside of reco"ni/ed floodplains
and because it is caused by Duite locali/ed weather conditions it is very
difficult to forecast. Its onset can also be very rapid and the level of
floodin" very severe. In the summer of 988? much of the floodin"
e*perienced in Gloucestershire and ,orkshire was not directly caused by
rivers but by surface water. +ar"e volumes of rainfall early in the year
25
saturated the "round and intense rainfall later caused both urban and rural
areas to flood.
2&2&B F<//2-*@ :1/4 S39318
1loodin" from sewers can occur where there are combined storm
and foul sewers and their capacity is e*ceeded due to lar"e amounts of
surface water run0off in a short time$ poor cleanin" and
Maintenance can lead to blocka"es that can also cause local floodin".
This type of floodin" is hard to predict$ and it has si"nificant sanitary
conseDuences for those affected and can occur very rapidly.
2&2&! F<//2-*@ :1/4 M.*4.23 I*:1.8+15'+513
Canals$ reservoirs and other manmade structures can fail causin"
floodin" to areas downstream$ Industrial activities$ water mains and
pumpin" stations can also "ive rise to floodin" due to failure.
2&> T1.@32-38 /: F<//28= T,3 N-@31-.* E;631-3*'3
Certain documented flood disasters in .i"eria afford a "ood insi"ht
Into the e*tent of floodin" and flood related problems in .i"eria. 1or
instance$ in the flood event of 7A?> a Ilorin$ 9: houses were submer"ed.
The flood water also washed away ve"etable and su"ar cane farmlands$
26
while many roads in the city were rendered impassable for some time
E'laniran$ 7A@;F.
The (venin" Times of #une 7:$ 7A@< had as its headline 3+ar"e
floods hold up classes5 The story described how most of the classrooms
of primary and post primary institutions in +a"os were turned into pools
of water after a down pour$ holdin" up classes for one week. .o matter
where one lives in +a"os$ it is the same story of flooded streets or homes
almost each time it rains heavily$ especially from #une to &eptember.
1rom -ictoria Island to Ikoyi$ Maroko to A"e"e$ Isolo to 'woronsoki the
story has been the same over the years. Bhen it rained for three days
continuously in +a"os in #une$ 7A@@$ the stream near the +a"os University
Teachin" 4ospital Isha"a in &urulere overflowed its banks and rendered
Isha"a road at that point impassable. &uch was the case of some of the
ma!or roads in the city includin" Awolowo road Ike!a$ I!ora causeway$
Apapa$ Apapa'shodi (*pressway at Itire !unction and at the
intercesection leadin" to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
Also$ in &urulere$ +a"os residents of Chief .atufe &treets woke up on
&aturday$ #uly A$ 7A@@ to find themselves virtually in water. The previous
27
ni"htKs rain which started from dusk and continued ri"ht throu"h the
followin" mornin" had caused untold havoc. &ome people were trapped
in their homes because of the floodwater$ which was waist hi"h. &ome
sewa"e tanks overflowed and mi*ed with under"round water tanks
thereby pollutin" peopleKs drinkin" water many days. The canal which
runs from +a"os Teachin" 4ospital ri"ht throu"h certain parts of &urulere
into 'rile I"anmu$ which was supposed to be a channel for the evacuation
of water$ had been blocked by solid waste and sediments and was not
dred"ed before the peak of the rainy season. In Ibadan$ the area does not
possess the type of e*cessive rainfall re"ime which favours freDuent
floodin"$ yet the city is one of the most freDuently flooded noncoastal
cities in .i"eria.
The first recorded flood in Ibadan occurred in 7A;;$ when Ce"e
6iver drowned the houses of those livin" on its bank. Two days heavy
down pour between #uly A and 78 7A<7 caused considerable dama"e to
property alon" the banks of the ma!or rivers that pass throu"h the city.
Trees$ vehicles and houses were swept away in #une 7A<< by the flood
28
That followed a two day heavy rainfall. The city was a"ain rava"ed by the
flood waters of swollen rivers and streams when many lives were lost in
7A>8. 'ver 7888 people were rendered homeless$ and property estimated
at over one hundred thousand naira was dama"ed. In late Au"ust$ 7A>; a
more devastatin" flood brou"ht dama"es to properties worth over two
hundred thousand naira. The most catastrophic and most publici/ed flood
to hit Ibadan occurred on Au"ust ;7$ 7A@8. After a twelve0hour down
power from the ni"ht of Au"ust ;8 throu"h the mornin" of Au"ust ;7$ the
city was flooded and over ;88 lives had been lost. <8$888 people were
rendered homeless and property worth over three hundred million naira
were destroyed EAyoade$ 7A@7F. Thou"h there have been flood in recent
times in the city$ they couldnKt be compared to the case of 7A@8. In &udan
&avanna$ a rainstorm described as one of the heaviest in an @8 years
instrumental record$ persisted over 2ano for a few days$ "eneratin" floods
in various parts of the state. This caused the %a"auda Dam near 2ano
with a stora"e capacity of 99 million cubic liters of water to reach an
unprecedented volume of 7:9 million cubic litres before it collapsed on
Au"ust 7?$ 7A@@. The havoc done by the collapse of the dam and the
29
rainfall floods resulted in the loss of 7:> lives and destruction of property
worth millions of naira. Many roads in 2ano were flooded$ leavin"
motorists stranded. The same year$ in the Misau council area of %auchi
&tate : persons were killed and over ?<8 houses and property includin"
crops worth hundreds of thousands of naira were destroyed by floods$
followin" a heavy down pour. Also heavy rains in various parts of %orno
&tate resulted in the loss of <9 lives$ and the destruction of over 7?8
houses and other property.
In 2ebbi &tate$ the 6iver .i"er flooded %a"udu$ %un/a and
Aru"un"u +ocal Government Areas. ConseDuently$ several villa"es and
settlements were submer"ed. 4undreds of farmland were also flooded and
crops destroyed. Apart from renderin" hundreds of families homeless$ it
was estimated that the flood destroyed property worth about one hundred
million naira. In Cross 6iver and Akwa Ibom states$ Cross 6iver over
flowed its bank in &eptember$ 7A@A as a result of continuous rainfall. This
brou"ht about the floodin" of about 7;8$ 888 hectares of a"ricultural land
in some parts of the states. This flood was estimated to have left about
7<8$888 farmin" families homeless and destroyed food crops and
30
economic trees worth millions of naira. 1loodin" is not only becomin"
more freDuent in .i"eria especially in the cities$ it is also becomin" more
severe and devastatin" over the decades. 4owever$ the increase freDuency
and severity could not be traced from increased rainfall. 6ainfall amount
on the contrary$ has overall$ been on the decrease. 6ather they are in
response to an increasin" rate of urbani/ation in the absence of well
articulated and comprehensive physical plannin" and plannin" control$
which invariably have left many of our coastal cities in flood dilemma.
2&4 M3+,/28 /: F<//2 C/*+1/< .*2 M.*.@343*+
)reventive options involvin" structural and non0structural measures
need to be adopted and implemented$ since dama"es caused by floods
have been on the increase in recent times. These include measures that
could be used to control periodic inundation of the areas that are liable to
floodin" in urban areas. The measures entail check dams$ levees$ flood
walls and adeDuate draina"e systems in the form of flood ways and
canals. These structural measures will prevent inundation of the
floodplain in different ways. 1or instance$ dams reduce peak flows$ levees
and flood walls confine the flow within predetermined channels$
31
improvements to channels reduce peak sta"es$ and flood ways help to
divert e*cessive flow. The adoption of structural measures alone$
however$ could lead to suboptimal development of the flood plain and
may even invite "reater loses when storms occur which e*ceed the desi"n
limits of the structures$ as the collapse of the %a"auda dam in 2ano
clearly showed. Moreover$ structural measures are e*pensiveG hence there
is also need to re"ulate floodplain development with the adoption of non
structural measures.
ConseDuently$ the followin"s could be adopted to brin" about
control and mana"ement of flood in .i"eria.
Channeli/ation$ which entails deepenin"$ widenin" or strai"htenin"
a part of a stream$ river etc to allow more rapid runoff. Althou"h
channeli/ation can reduce up stream floodin"$ the increased flow of
water can also increase upstream bank erosion$ and downstream
floodin" and deposition of sediment.
Construction of artificial levees and embankments can reduce the
possibility of water overflowin" into nearby floodplains. It could be
permanent or temporary$ such as sandba"s placed when a flood is
32
imminent. +evees like channeli/ation contain and accelerate
upstream flow and increase the waterKs capacity for doin" dama"e
downstream.
1lood control dam built across a stream can withhold$ store and
release water more "radually. The dam and its reservoir may also
provide such secondary benefits as hydroelectric power$ water for
irri"ation and recreational facilities. A reservoir can reduce
floodin" only if its water level is kept low. 4owever$ it is more
profitable for dam operators to keep water levels hi"h Efor
producin" electricity and supplyin" irri"ation waterF. 4ence$ after
prolon"ed runs the reservoir can overflow or operator may release
lar"e volumes of water to prevent overflow$ thereby worsenin" the
severity of floodin" downstream. &ome flood control dams have
failed for one reason or the other$ causin" sudden catastrophic
floodin" and threatenin" lives$ property and wildlife. The %a"auda
dam in 2ano is an e*ample to be remembered. 4owever$ it could
be seen that dams$ levees and channeli/ation can "ive a false sense
of security.
33
1loodplain mana"ement is seen to be the best approach. In findin"
solution to floodin" usin" this approach$ the first step is to
construct a flood0freDuency curve0based on historical records and
an e*amination of ve"etation0to determine how often on avera"e a
flood of a certain si/e occurs in a particular area. This doesnKt tell
us e*actly when floods will occur$ but it provides a "eneral idea of
how often they mi"ht occur$ based on past history. Usin" these
data$ a plan is developedC
a. To prohibit certain types of buildin"s or activities in hi"h risk /ones.
b. To elevate or otherwise flood proof buildin"s that is allowed on the
le"ally defined floodplain.
c. To construct a floodway that allows floodwater to flow throu"h the
community with minimal dama"e. As we are aware of when the rainy
season approaches$ the "overnment should set up a standin" task force
that can tackle the problem like what operates in the western world. In
most developed countries$ particularly in (urope and America$ there is
always a standin" taskforce that deals with the problem of snow once
winter is approachin".
34
d. )roper plannin" will "o a lon" way to proffer solution. The "overnment
should always plan ahead of the population so that the idea of unplanned
houses and cities will be a thin" of the past. There should be an end to the
era of construction of roads without draina"es. &ervices of "arba"e
collectors in all part of the cities should be en"a"ed for proper collection
and disposal of wastes which tend to block draina"es$ brin"in" about
floodin".
2&" T,3 M.88 M32-. .*2 E*7-1/*43*+.< R36/1+.@3
.wabue/e E988?F observes that empirical data show that the
.i"erian mass media have not been doin" well in the covera"e of the
environment$ with specific reference to environmental pollution in the
.i"er Delta re"ion$ which seems to dominate environmental a"enda in
.i"eria. Udoudo Ein Ashon" and Udoudo$ 988>$ p.79F observes that 3the
media have not done well in the covera"e of pollution in the re"ion
especially in the area of empathi/in" with$ and e*pressin" the views of$
local communities hit by the pollution5. 'so E988>$ p.>>F adds that the
35
mass media "ive hapha/ard covera"e to environmental issues with mainly
spot news reports.
.wabue/e E988<F also found out in a study that the .i"erian press
does not "ive adeDuate covera"e to erosion in the nation. After a study of
selected national newspapers in 988:$ it was discovered that one of the
newspapers did not carry a sin"le story on erosion in the southern /one
throu"hout the year that was studied. This was when some buildin"s in
some communities in Anambra &tate were bein" swallowed by erosion.
(rosion is caused nowadays by too much rain$ which in turn is believed to
be tri""ered by climate chan"e. In another study on print media covera"e
of Borld (nvironment Day EB(DF activities$ 'latun!i E988>$ p.7?F
observed that from 98880988:$ dominant environmental issues in the
media were environmental awareness$ water pollution and seaIocean
pollution. 34owever$ little or no attention was paid to other eDually
critical environmental problems such as unsustainable practices of natural
resources e*ploitation$ conservation$ air pollution$ floodin"Ierosion$
deforestationIdesertification and urban waste mana"ement. In another
study on media ima"es of environmental issues and problems in .i"eria$
36
.wosu and Uffoh E988<F discovered that the media "ave poor Duality
covera"e to environmental issues they handled within the period of study.
Galadima E988>F studied news ma"a/ines and found that they also "ave
inadeDuate attention to environmental issues.
2&B F<//2 R36/1+.@3 -* N-@31-.* P1-*+ M32-.
Tra"edies associated with flood disasters in .i"eria have
si"nificant effects on the people$ city infrastructure and urban "overnance.
In recent time most city residents felt the impacts of floods directly or
indirectly$ and the pathetic stories were captured by different newspaper
headlines in .i"eria. 1loods has become a ma!or problem in .i"erian
cities since the first flood hit Ibadan$ the headDuarters of the old western
re"ion Enow the capital of 'yo &tateF in 7A:@. &ubseDuently$ series of
serious tra"edies of floods have occurred in Ibadan and other parts of the
country between 7A>;09877. %elow is a "lossary of .ewspaper headlines
on the occurrence of flood in different parts of .i"eria.
Ibadan floods washed away 9$78< buildin"s EThe Punch, 24th
2011, p.14F. flood kills ei"ht in 2atsina and 788 families rendered
homelessG five hour downpour tri""ers panic in IbadanG %oy dead$ dad$
37
sister hospitali/ed in school fence collapse. 1loods of fury in cities. +a"os
calls for calm$ +a"os ask pupils to stay away from schoolG EThe Nation,
July 11th, 2011F. 78 dead in +a"os floodsG +a"osIAbeokuta road cracks
EThe Nation, July 12th, 2011).%akery$ 78 buildin"s collapse. 4ow Doctor$
three kids died. &enator condoles with families of victims EThe Nation,
August 30th, 2011F. Ibadan floodsC si* residents still missin" as death toll
hits ;9. +a"os lawmakers seek 1ed. Govt. intervention on floodin" EThe
Nation, August 30th 2011F. 1our waitresses$ baby die on wet ni"ht.
1loodsC +a"os residents "o fishin " EThe Punch, July 12th 2011F.Bhere
do I start life fromJ Asks Ganiyat 4ussein$ revenue collector who lost all
EThe Nation, Septembe 3!, 2011F. 1loodsC 6esidents count losses as
canoe operators rake money EThe )unch$ 'ctober ?th$ 9878F. 1loodC
&okoto council evacuates >$888 residents EDaily Times$ Au"ust 9>th$
9877F. I thank God I lost my business and all$ but not my life EA!ibade
Adewale$ the Nation Septembe 3!, 2011F. '"unI+a"os flood national
disaster$ says )resident. 1G launches Mflood early warnin" systemK for
food security EThe "ua!ian, August 2n!, 2011F. Govt. distributes relief
materials to victims. 'yo CA.$ senator mourn. 1lood threatens 'yo
38
residents EThe Nation, August 2#th, 2011F. 4ow we saved a 7890yr0old
woman and 7< kids Ibadan floods death toll up as more bodies
surface.Man loses ei"ht children. Another loses four kids$ father EThe
Nation, August 2#th, 2011F. 'yoC )olitics of floodin"$ relief materials.
EThe Punch, Septembe 1#th, 2011F. M4ow we survived the flood of
sorrowK E'ladele$ %isiF. 'ur heart was in our mouth. Be were so afraid
because we were close to death E1eli* (ro0The Nation, Septembe 3!,
2011F. Man drowns in 'do 'na. A!imobi to demolish buildin"s. UI loses
78b property. EThe .ation$ Au"ust ;7st$ 9877F. 790year0old "irl drowns
in +a"os floods$ typhoid cases rise. +a"os relocates >@7 EThe )unch$
'ctober 79th$ 9877F. 1loods sack residents of hi"hbrow Ikoyi$ -ictoria
Island. E)unch$ #uly ;rd$ 9877F.+a"os residentsK panic as fresh downpour
causes floods EThe )unch$ #uly 7@th$ 9877F.
In all of these headlines$ one factor closely related is the count of
loses by victims and in some cases thanks"ivin" to God for at least bein"
alive. There is no "ain sayin" that flood reporta"e has always been that of
destruction of lives and properties other than "ains in any ramification.
2&! T,3/13+-'.< F1.439/1?
39
This work is based on the framin" theory. &cheufele E9888F notes
that framin" involves activation of entire interpretive schemas Nnot
merely prioriti/ation of individual ob!ects or attributes. 4is wordsC
31ramin" O is based on the concept of the prospect theoryG that is$ on the
assumption that subtle chan"es in the wordin" of the description of a
situation mi"ht affect how audience members interpret this situation. In
other words$ that influences how audiences think about issues$ not by
makin" aspects of the issue more salient$ but by invokin" interpretive
schemas that influence the interpretation of incomin" information.K
E&cheufele$ 9888$ p.;8AF.
1ollowin" (ntman E7AA;F framin" refers to how !ournalists decide
on which sides of an issue to make salient$ and then make connections
between these issues so that particular interpretations$ evaluations$ or
solutions are promoted over others. %rosius and (ps E7AA<F went even
further$ positin" that framin" is not a clearly e*plicated and "enerally
applicable concept$ but only a metaphor that cannot be directly translated
into research Duestions. )artly because of these va"ue conceptuali/ations$
the term framin" has been used repeatedly to label similar but distinctly
40
different approaches. 1or e*ample$ Bicks E7AA9F identified subtle but
distinct differences between various concepts of co"nitive cate"ori/ation.
+od"e E7A@>F and +od"e and 4amill E7A@>F saw only a terminolo"ical
difference between concepts like frame$ script$ or schema.
At the same time$ studies have operationali/ed framin" in
combination with other concepts such as a"enda settin" or primin"
EIyen"ar and 2inder$ 7A@?F. More recently$ McCombs$ &haw$ and Beaver
E7AA?F su""ested that not only are a"enda settin" and framin" effects
related$ framin" is$ in fact$ an e*tension of a"enda settin". They used the
term second0level a"enda0settin" to describe the impact of the salience of
characteristics of media covera"e on audiencesK interpretation of these
news stories. )erhaps as a result of these terminolo"ical and conceptual
inconsistencies$ other studies have referred to a"enda settin"$ primin"$
and framin" without differentiation E )opkin$ 7AA:F. As a platform for
e*plainin" this study$ framin" helped to specify the ways in which
!ournalists interpret and evaluated the 9879 floods in Delta state throu"h
stories and represent particular sides in "iven debates. Mc=uail E988<$
41
p.@9F notes that the media can select parts of e*perience for special
attention$ closin" off other views and voices$ whether deliberately or not.
>&0 CHAPTER THREE= RESEARCH METHOD
>&1 I*+1/25'+-/*
This chapter deals with the methods used in this study to "ather and
interpret the data collected. The main ob!ective of the study was to assess
the media covera"e of the 9879 flood in Delta &tate
42
In "ivin" credibility and ob!ectivity to this study$ it becomes
imperative to review the research methods used in this study.
>&2 R383.1', D38-@*
The research desi"n was a post survey research desi"ned to
evaluate the e*tent to which the 9879 flood in Delta &tate was covered by
the print media.
>&> P/65<.+-/* /: +,3 S+52)
All papers published by the pointer .ewspaper and The van"uard
.ewspaper between &eptember$ 98
th
9879 and .ovember ;8
th
9879
formed the population under survey.
>&4 S.46<3 8-C3
The sample si/e to be content analy/ed includes 78 van"uard
newspapers and > pointer newspapers published within the period under
study.
>&" S.46<-*@ T3',*-D538
43
A purposive samplin" techniDue was employed to select the
editions that were content analy/ed. &ince the newspapers are published
daily$ the Monday editions$ midweek editions and the weekend editions of
the newspapers published within the period under survey will be selected.
This is done so as to "ive spread across the various publications made
within the period.
>&B I*8+1543*+ :/1 D.+. C/<<3'+-/*
In collectin" data for this study$ two instruments will be used.
7. Ten -an"uard .ewspapers and &i* )ointer .ewspapers
9. Content analysis of relevant documents collected.
>&! T3',*-D53 :/1 C/*+3*+ A*.<)8-8
Media prominence of the issue will be assi"ned to the actual news
covera"e of the issue in the two .ewspapers chosen$ the content analysis
which will cate"ori/e the different dimensions the chosen newspapers
"ave to the issue. 1or this reason a codin" sheet will be developed to
analy/e the number of placement of news items and pictorial
44
representation related to the flood. The content analysis will be based on
the analysis of space "iven to the issues raised in the research Duestion
such as the occurrence of the flood$ flood mana"ement and post flood
impact.
>&8 T3',*-D538 /: D.+. .*.<)8-8 .*2 P1383*+.+-/*
1reDuency counts were done on the e*tent to which media
prominence was assi"ned to the issues raised in the research Duestions.
Thus the data will be presented in tables and simple percenta"es.
>& L-4-+.+-/* /: +,3 S+52)
In the course of carryin" out this research$ a couple of challen"es
were faced. 'f )aramount importance was the researchersK inability to "et
access to ma!ority of the editions of the .ewspapers published within the
period under review. %ased on this therefore$ the results presented by this
study may "rossly under represent the e*tent to which the print media
covered the 9879 flood events in Delta state. 4owever$ it is of importance
to note that "enerali/ations made by this study were based on a thorou"h
analysis of the .ewspaper editions mobili/ed for the study.
45
Another ma!or limitation to this study was the unavailability of
literatures that have carried out similar researches relative to media
covera"e of flood events in the country.
4&0 CHAPTER FOUR= DATA PRESENTATION AND
ANALYSIS
4&1 I*+1/25'+-/*
This chapter presents data collected and collated from the content
analysis of 78 editions of -an"uard .ewspaper and &i* editions of The
)ointer .ewspaper between &eptember$ 98
th
9879 and .ovember ;8
th
9879.
46
4&1&1 R383.1', $538+-/* O*3
Bhat is the e*tent of the print media covera"e of events that led to
the flood and the effect in Delta stateJ
T.A<3 1= N54A31 /: S+/1-38 65A<-8,32 /* F<//2
V.1-.A<3 P/-*+31
N3986.631
F %E(
V.*@5.12 N398
P.631 F %E(
T/+.< F %E(
.umber of &tories
on 9879 1lood
9;E?;.>HF 7<E;A.:HF ;@E788F
.umber of &tories
on Delta &tate
7?E?;.AHF <E;;.;HF 99E<?.AHF
The table above showed that the total number of stories published on
flood includes ;@E788HF with 9;E?>HF published on the pointer news
paper$ while 7<E;A.:HF published on van"uard. 'f All these$ 7?E?;HF of
the stories on The )ointer newspaper focused on the flood in Delta state$
while <E;;.;HF of the stories on van"uard focused on delta state. This
brou"ht the total number of stories that focused on Delta state to
99E<?.AHF of the stories published on flood.
4&1&2 R383.1', $538+-/* T9/
Bhat formats were mostly used by the print media in the covera"e
of the flood events in Delta stateJ
47
T.A<3 2= P13:31132 F/14.+ /: S+/1-38
-ariable )ointer .ewspaper
1 EHF
-an"uard .ews
)aper 1EHF
Total 1 EHF
Cover &tory >E?<HF 9E9<HF @E788F
)ress 6elease 9E788F 8E8F 9E788F
)ictorial
6epresentations
78E@;.;;HF 9E7>.?HF 79E788HF
.ews :E<?HF ;E:;F ?E788HF
&pecial 1ocus >E788HF .il >E788HF
The table above indicates that a total f @E788F stories appeared as cover
stories and headlines$ with >E?<HF comin" from the pointer$ while
9E9<HF came from the van"uard news paper. 9E788HF came as press
statements in the )ointer .ewspaper$ while 79E788HF pictorial
representations was published$ 78E@;.;HF of these stories was in the
pointer .ews paper$ 9E7>.?HF came from the van"uard. under .ews$
:E<?HF was published by the pointer$ ;E:;HF from the van"uard$ brin"in"
the news stories to a total of ?E788HF. Under special focus a total
>E788HF was published by the )ointer.
4&1&> R383.1', $538+-/* T,133
Bhat is the freDuency of covera"e of the flood events in Delta &tateJ
T.A<3 >= R.+3 /: '/731.@3 /: F<//2 E73*+8 -* D3<+. S+.+3
-ariable )ointer .ewspaper
1 EHF
-an"uard .ews
)aper 1EHF
Total 1 EHF
Causes of 1lood .il E8F .il E8F 8E8F
48
Casualties :E@8F 7E98F <E788F
6elief AE?@F 9E99F 77E788F
'thers :E>?F 9E;;F >E788F
Total 7?E788HF <E788HF 99E788F

The table above showed that .o story focused on the causes of the flood
in all of the 99 stories published. 1or casualties of the 1lood in Delta state$
the pointer reported four stories with the followin" headlines$ 1lood
A$$ecte! communities %naccessibleC &eptember$ 9?$ 9879 )a"e 7G &loo!
ta'es Toll on (eltans as Pices o$ $oo! %tems S'yoc'etC 'ctober$ 77$
9879. )*e 20 houses submege! in +giliamai community 'ctober$ 79
)a"e ;$ A'aai,)bo!o See's "o*enments Assistance 'ctober$ 79 )a"e ;.
-angua! Ne.spape epote! one stoy (elta /ommunity aises alam
o*e !e*astation by $loo! -an"uard 'ctober$ 9<. 'n relief$ a total of nine
stories was published by the pointer with the followin" headlines +n to
ai! -ictims %n (elta state The )ointer 'ctober$ 79 pa"e 7. &o
%n$omation on Assistance o$ &loo! (isaste in (elta state 'ctober$ 79$
)a"e :. 0ainsteat 1an' (onates elie$ mateials $o $loo! -ictims
'ctober$ 77 )a"e ;$ )ictorial representation of donation from )ro +abore
Dei E.G'F 'ctober$ 77 pa"e ; 0acauly see's massi*e assistance $o
$loo! -ictims 'ctober$ 77 )a"e :$ Aniocha Noth council !onates elie$
49
mateials$ 'ctober 77$ pa"e :$ 2lumelu 3au!s "o*enments 4uic'
esponse 'ctober$ 79 )a"e ;. (elta 0o*es to 0itigate 2$$ects o$ &loo!5
Assues *ictims o$ palliati*es$ &eptember$ 9> pa"e 7. Government sets up
relief camps for flood -ictims &eptember$ 9@ pa"e 7. -an"uard on the
other hand reported two stories with the followin" headlines 'sanebi
+auds Udu"han over assistance to flood victims .ovember$ @ 9879. Bhy
I washed my hands off 1GKs .<88m relief to Delta flood victims
Udu"han. )a"e :< 'ther stories focused ma!orly on press statements from
the "overnment$ Camp situation etc.
4&2 D-8'588-/* /: F-*2-*@8 %A*8931 +/ R383.1', $538+-/*8(
R383.1', $538+-/* O*3
The first research Duestion sou"ht to know the e*tent to which the
print media covered the events that led to the flood in Delta &tate. The
answer to this research Duestion was determined by result presented in
table ; above which indicated that there was no story that focused on the
events that led to the flood in Delta &tate.
R383.1', $538+-/* T9/
50
6elative to research Duestion two$ table 9 presented the preferred
formats of mostly used by the print media in reportin" the flood events.
This indicated that a total f @E788F stories appeared as cover stories and
headlines$ with >E?<HF comin" from the pointer$ while 9E9<HF came
from the van"uard news paper. 9E788HF came as press statements in the
)ointer .ewspaper$ while 79E788HF pictorial representations was
published$ 78E@;.;HF of these stories was in the pointer .ews paper$
9E7>.?HF came from the van"uard. under .ews$ :E<?HF was published by
the pointer$ ;E:;HF from the van"uard$ brin"in" the news stories to a total
of ?E788HF. Under special focus a total >E788HF was published by the
)ointer and this led to an inference that the mostly used format for report
was pictorial representations and headlines as this formed the bases of
discussions on the issues of the flood that was raised.
R383.1', $538+-/* T,133
The third Duestions investi"ated the rate of covera"e and e*tent of
covera"e of the flood events by media houses. Table 7 indicated that a
total number of ;@E788HF stories was published on flood with 9;E?>HF
51
published on the pointer news paper$ while 7<E;A.:HF published on
van"uard. 'f all these$ 7?E?;HF of the stories on the )ointer newspaper
focused on the flood in Delta state$ while <E;;.;HF of the stories on
van"uard focused on Delta state. This brou"ht the total number of stories
that focused on Delta state to 99E<?.AHF of the stories published on flood.
This observation thus led to an inference that the rate of covera"e of the
flood events in Delta state was hi"h especially by the pointer while the
freDuency of reporta"e of the flood events in Delta state outwei"hed those
that were reported in other places. This observation may have occurred
due to the fact that The )ointer .ewspaper is the state owned official
.ewspaper and thus may have focused primarily on events happenin" in
Delta state because of its audience and customers.
R383.1', $538+-/* F/51
In answer to the fourth research Duestion which investi"ated the
response of "overnment and .on"overnmental or"ani/ations to the events
of the events of the flood$ it was discovered that "overnment response
was prompt as they set up various committees and camps that saw to the
52
needs of those that were displaced by the flood. 1rom the analysis it was
reported by the pointer its cover pa"e on Thursday$ &eptember ?
th
$ 9879
3&loo! a$$ecte! communities inaccessible "o*enment to (eploy
6elicopte7 &eptember$ 9>
th
$ 9879C (elta 0o*es to mitigate e$$ects o$
$loo!5 Assues *ictims o$ palliati*es5 &eptember$ 9@ 9879C 8"o*enment
sets up elie$ camp $o $loo! *ictims .ans Sea o$$icials against
(i*esion o$ elie$ mateials. Pg 1. &ept. 9@$ 9879 3Be ae stengthening
ou $loo! potection system +!uaghan7)".9 'ctober$ 77$ 9879C Aniocha
.orth Council donates relief materials 'ctober$ 79$ 9879 )":. 2lumelu
lau!s go*enment 9uic' esponse p" ;. 3Jonathan *isits $loo! (elta to!ay
to tou a$$ecte! aeas5 'ctober$ 79 9879. &loo! -ictims5 &" .ill ta'e
cae o$ esettlement )" 7. .ovember 98
th
9879. 1rom the details presented
above it was very evident that "overnment response to the incidence of
the flood was Duick and abrupt and focused more on relief and
resettlement of those that were displaced by the flood. The responses from
.on"overnmental or"ani/ations were not reflected much however$ there
was a pictorial representation of donations from a non"overnmental
or"ani/ation )ro +aborere Dei on pa"e ; of the pointer 'ctober$ 77 9879.
53
In same pa"e also the story headline titledC 30ainstet ban' !onates
elie$ mateials $o $loo! *ictim7 In response to events of the flood also$ a
story on the pointer 'ctober 79$ 987; was titled 32'iyo See's assistance
$o Patani $loo! *ictims.7It was also reported in the pointer of 'ctober$
9879 titled M0acaulay see's massi*e assistance $o $loo! *ictims.: Bhile
the van"uard reported on pa"e 77 of .ovember @ 9879 3'sanebi lauds
Udua"han over assistance to flood victims. And a special cover story
focus on the share of the relief fund released by the federal "overnment
tittled 3Bhy I washed my hands of 1GsK .<88m relief to Delta flood
vicitims Udua"han.
R383.1', $538+-/* F-73
The fifth research Duestion sou"ht to know the ma!or headlines that
were used by the print media houses in the covera"e of the flood in Delta
&tate. In answerin" this research Duestion$ co"ni/ance was taken on the
various headlines that reflected in the cover stories and news of the
pointer news paper which had these to show in table ;$ Casualties of the
1lood in Delta state$ the pointer reported four stories with the followin"
54
headlines$ 1lood A$$ecte! communities %naccessibleC &eptember$ 9?$ 9879
)a"e 7G &loo! ta'es Toll on (eltans as Pices o$ $oo! %tems S'yoc'etC
'ctober$ 77$ 9879. )*e 20 houses submege! in +giliamai community
'ctober$ 79 )a"e ;$ A'aai,)bo!o See's "o*enments Assistance
'ctober$ 79 )a"e ;. -angua! Ne.spape epote! one stoy (elta
/ommunity aises alam o*e !e*astation by $loo! -an"uard 'ctober$ 9<.
'n relief$ a total of nine stories were published by the pointer with the
followin" headlines 3+N to ai! -ictims in (elta state The )ointer
'ctober$ 79 pa"e 7. &o %n$omation on Assistance o$ &loo! (isaste in
(elta state 'ctober$ 79$ )a"e :. 0ainsteat 1an' (onates elie$ mateials
$o $loo! -ictims 'ctober$ 77 )a"e ;$ )ictorial representation of donation
from )ro +abore Dei E.G'F 'ctober$ 77 pa"e ; Macauly seeks massive
assistance for flood -ictims 'ctober$ 77 )a"e :$ Aniocha .orth council
donates relief materials$ 'ctober 77$ pa"e :$ (lumelu +auds Governments
=uick response 'ctober$ 79 )a"e ;. Delta Moves to Miti"ate (ffects of
1loodG Assures victims of palliatives$ &eptember$ 9> pa"e 7. Government
sets up relief camps for flood -ictims &eptember$ 9@ pa"e 7. -an"uard on
the other hand reported two stories with the followin" headlines 'sanebi
55
+auds Udu"han over assistance to flood victims .ovember$ @ 9879. Bhy
I washed my hands off 1GKs .<88m relief to Delta flood victims
Udu"han. )a"e :< 'ther stories focused ma!orly on press statements from
the "overnment$ Camp situation etc.
R383.1', $538+-/* S-;
The &i*th research Duestion was based on the identification of a
feedback mechanism employed by the media houses to "et the persons
that were involved in the flood in the reporta"e. 1rom the analysis of all
78 editions and si* editions of -an"uard and )ointer .ews )apers$ there
was no indications of a specific mechanism employed.
56
"&0 CHAPTER FIVE= SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION
"&1 S544.1) /: F-*2-*@8
The essence of this study was to access the print media covera"e of
9879 flood events in Delta state. The study stated as its ob!ective the
determination of the e*tent to which the print media covered the events of
the flood from be"innin" to endG determination of the formats used in the
covera"e of the flood events in Delta stateG Determination of the
freDuency of covera"e of the flood events in Delta stateG Determination of
the level of "overnments response to the events of flood in Delta stateG
Determination of the ma!or headlines used by the print media houses in
covera"e of the flood events and determination of the feedback
57
mechanism used by the media to ensure the involvement of the people
affected by the flood.
In the course of the study$ there was an e*tensive review of literatures
on flood$ itsK causes$ various flood events in the country and the print
media reporta"e on environment and floods in .i"eria. Theoretically$ the
study was anchored by the framin" theory which accordin" to &cheufele
E9888F$ is based on the concept of the prospect theoryG that is$ on the
assumption that subtle chan"es in the wordin" of the description of a
situation mi"ht affect how audience members interpret this situation. In
other words$ that influences how audiences think about issues$ not by
makin" aspects of the issue more salient$ but by invokin" interpretive
schemas that influence the interpretation of incomin" information.K
The desi"n of the study was a survey research that involved the
content analysis of 78 editions of -an"uard .ewspaper and &i* editions
of The )ointer .ewspaper between &eptember$ 98
th
9879 and .ovember
;8
th
9879. At the end of the study$ the followin" were identified as the
ma!or hi"hli"hts of the study.
58
7. There was no story that focused on the events that led to the 9879
flood in Delta &tate.
9. The mostly used format for report was pictorial representations and
headlines as this formed the bases of discussions on the issues of
the 9879 flood that was raised.
;. A total of ;@E788HF stories were published on the 9879 flood by
the )ointer and van"uard .ewspapers of which 99E<?.AHF stories
focused on Delta state. This freDuency outwei"hed the total number
of flood events that were reported in other states.
:. The response of "overnment and .on"overnmental or"ani/ations
to the events of the events of the flood was prompt as they set up
various committees and camps that saw to the needs of those that
were displaced by the flood. Althou"h Government response to the
focused more on relief and resettlement of those that were
displaced by the flood$ responses from .on"overnmental
or"ani/ations were not reflected much however$ there was a
pictorial representation of donations from a non"overnmental
59
or"ani/ation )ro +aborere Dei and headlines from various
individuals
5. 6eports on casualties of the 1lood in Delta state saw the Pointe
reportin" four storiesG -angua! Ne.spape reported one story. 'n
relief$ a total of nine stories were published by the pointer while
van"uard published two stories. 'ther stories focused ma!orly on
press statements from the "overnment$ Camp situation etc.
>. 1rom the analysis of all 78 editions and si* editions of -an"uard
and )ointer .ews )apers$ there was no indications of a specific
feedback mechanism employed to "et those who were affected by
the flood in the reporta"e of the 9879 flood events.
"&2 C/*'<58-/*
%ased on the hi"hli"hts shown above$ it is concluded that the print
media was at the centre of media covera"e of the events of the 9879 flood
in Delta state. %y this$ they were able to fulfill one of the ma!or roles of
the mass media not only informin" but also actin" as a ma!or contributor
to the formation of public opinion and perceptions.
60
"&> R3'/443*2.+-/*
%ased on the findin"s of the study and conclusions made above$ the
researcher wishes to make the followin" recommendations.
7. Covera"e of events such as this should entail the covera"e of
events that led to them so that there will be access to documents
that will "uide the avoidance and aversion of similar events in the
future.
9. There should be development of a feedback mechanism that
involves those directly involved in cases of natural disasters like
the 9879 flood when been reported by the mass media.
61
R3:313*'38
Dance$ 2.B. and 4.6... 4ynes$ E7A@8F. &ome effects of a"ricultural land
use on stream insect communities. 2n*ionmental Pollution Seies
AE99FC 7:09@.
("benta$ I.$ 6. E988:F. The cause and ConseDuence of Deforestation of
The 6ain 1orest %elt of .i"eria5 in 4.C. Mba$ &... Uche"bu$ C.A.
Udeh$ +... Muo"halu EedsF Mana"ement of environmental
)roblems and 4a/ards in .i"eria. (n"land Ash"ete publishin"
limited.
(ntman$ 6. E7AA;F. 1ramin"C toward clarification of a fractured paradi"m.
#ounal o$ communication :;C <7N<@.
1ourie$ )ieter #. E988@F. 0e!ia Stu!ies; 0e!ia 6istoy, 0e!ia an!
Society. .ew ,ork$ #uta and Company.
Galadima$ A. #. E988>F. Covera"e of environmental issues and problems
by .i"eria news ma"a/inesC A content analysis5. In The Nigeia
Jounal o$ communications 4% 7 and 9FC A90AA.
4amill$ 6.$ and +od"e$ M. E7A@>F. Co"nitive conseDuences of political
sophistication. In 6. 6. +au and D. '. &ears E(ds.F$ )olitical
co"nition. 4illsdale$ .#C (rlbaum. pp. >ANA<
Iyen"ar$ &. E7AA8F. The accessibility bias in politicsC Television news and
public opinion. %ntenational Jounal o$ Public )pinion <eseach$
9C 7N7<.
62
+od"e$ M.$ and 4amill$ 6. E7A@>F. A partisan schema for political
information processin". Ameican Political Science <e*ie.$ @8C
<8<N<7A
McCombs$ M.$ &haw$ D. +.$ and Beaver$ D. E7AA?F. Communication and
democracyC (*plorin" the intellectual frontiers in a"enda0settin"
theory . Mahwah$ .#C (rlbaum.
Mc=uail$ D. E988<F. 0c4uail:s mass communication theoy$ =th e!ition.
+ondonC &a"e )ublications.
Miller$ G.T. E7AAAF. 2n*ionmental Sciences; >o'ing .ith the 2ath.
.ew ,ork. Badsworth )ublishin" Company.
.ational Concord E7A@@F DisasterC 3%a"auda Dam Gives way to 1lood
)ressure5 Au". 7. pp. 7 and 78
.(&T E7AA7F Nigeia:s Theatene! 2n*ionment; A National Po$ile.
Ibadan$ .i"eria. (nvironmental &tudyIAction Team.
.wabue/e$ C. E988?F. 2n*ionmental communication; Pespecti*es on
geen communication an! in$omation management. (nu"uC Daisy
)ress.
'laniran$ '.I. E7A@;F 1lood Generatin" Mechanism at Ilorin$ .i"eria
"eogaphical Jounal o$ Nigeia 2E:FC 9?709??.
'layinka$ &. E7AAAF. =uoted in Musa$ 4. A.$ 2ola 6.I. and +awal$ &.+.
E7AAAF. 3The increasin" mountain of refuse in our .orthern Cities
and the "rowin" concern for environmental protection5. In A.
'sunkotun$ EedF (imensions o$ en*ionmental poblems in Nigeia.
IbadanC Davidson )ress pp7;>07:>.
'so$ l. E988>F. 1ramin" the environmentC press covera"e of environmental
problems. In The Nigeia ?ounal o$ communications, 4E7 and 9FC
>>0??.
63
'yebande$ +. E7A?<F. Bater resource problems in Africa. In 6ichards$ ).
E(dF African (nvironmentalC problems and perspectives. +ondon.
International African Institute
)opkin$ &. +. E7AA:F. The reasonin" voter$ communication and persuasion
in presidential campai"ns. E9nd ed.F. Chica"oC University of
Chica"o )ress
&unday Times E7A@AF 31loods5 Au"ust 97. ). 79.
The (venin" Times E7A@<F. 3+a"os 1lood hold up classes5 #une 7:. pp.
:0@
The Guardian E7AA@F. Tuesday #une$ A. p. 7;
The .ation .ewspaper E9877F. #uly 77th.
The .ation .ewspaper$ E9877F. Au"ust ;8
th
The .ation .ewspaper$ E9877F. #uly 79
th
The .ation .ewspaper$ E9877F. &eptember ;
rd
The )ointer E9879F. 1riday 'ctober$ 79 ).
The )ointer E9879F. Tuesday .ovember$ 98 ).
The )ointer 1riday$ .ewspaper E9879F. 'ctober 79$ p.;
The )ointer .ewspaper E9877F.Thursday 'ctober$ 77
The )ointer .ewspaper E9879F. Thursday 'ctober$ 77
The )ointer .ewspaper E9879F. Thursday &eptember 9?
th
$ ).;:
The )ointer .ewspaper E9879F. Bednesday &eptember 9>
th
$ ).7
The )ointer .ewspaper E9879F. Bednesday &eptember 9>
th
$ ).<
64
The )ointer .ewspaper E9879F.Thursday 'ctober$ 77 ).;
The )ointer Thursday .ewspaper E9879F.&eptember 9?
th
$ ).7
The )unch .ewspaper$ E9877F. #uly 79
th
The )unch .ewspaper$ E9877F. #uly 7@
th
The )unch .ewspaper$ E9877F. #uly 9:
th
The )unch .ewspaper$ E9877F. &eptember 7A
th
The -an"uard .ewspaper E9879F. Tuesday 'ctober$ ;8th ).7
The -an"uard .ewspaper E9879F. 1riday .ovember$ A
th
p.77
The -an"uard .ewspaper E9879F. 1riday$ &eptember$ 9@ 9879 ).7
The -an"uard .ewspaper E9879F. &aturday$ 'ctober$ 9?
th
).77
The -an"uard .ewspaper E9879F. &unday$ &eptember$ 9;
rd
).:;
The -an"uard .ewspaper E9879F. Thursday .ovember$ @
th
p.77
The -an"uard .ewspaper E9879F. Thursday 'ctober$ 9<
th
9879 ).>
The -an"uard .ewspaper E9879F. Thursday 'ctober$ 9<
th
9879. ). 79
The -an"uard .ewspaper E9879F. Tuesday .ovember$ >
th
p.>
The -an"uard .ewspaper E9879F. Bednesday .ovember$ ?
th
p.77
65