COVERAGE OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE BY SELECT NEWSPAPERS' AND BAYELSA STATE RESIDENTS' PERCEPTION OF THE STATE ECOSYSTEM (NOVEMBER 30, 2023 – FEBRUARY 19, 2024)

Abstract

This study examines the role of Nigerian newspapers in shaping public perceptions of climate change in Bayelsa State, a climate-vulnerable region in the Niger Delta, from November 30, 2023, to February 19, 2024. Employing a mixed-methods design grounded in Agenda-Setting and Framing Theories, the research integrates content analysis of 101 climate change articles from The Guardian, The Punch, and The Nation with a survey of 400 Bayelsa residents. Findings reveal high resident exposure to and awareness of climate change, particularly local impacts like flooding and biodiversity loss, with calls for government intervention. However, newspaper coverage was moderate in frequency, predominantly focused on international themes (e.g., COP28), and lacked prominence, with only 11.88% of articles on front pages. While 51.49% of reports adopted a positive, solution-oriented tone, local issues like public health and community adaptation received minimal attention. These findings highlight a disconnect between global climate narratives and local realities, limiting the media’s role in fostering resilience. The study contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by advocating for localized, prominent, and consistent climate journalism to enhance public engagement and adaptation in vulnerable regions. Recommendations include prioritizing localized framing, diversifying reporting formats, and increasing editorial prominence to bridge the perception-action gap in Bayelsa.