Portrayal of Ethnic Minorities in Ghanaian Newspapers:A Case Study of the Fulani

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to determine how Ghanaian newspapers, especially the most widely circulated state-owned Daily Graphic and privately owned Daily Guide portrayed the Fulani ethnic minority in their reportage. The study used a quantitative content analysis approach in the gathering and collection of data. The census technique was used to sample 858 issues of the two dailies from 2013 to 2015. Eight categories were coded and analysed. The framing theory was adopted as the theoretical basis of the study. The findings of the study showed that stories involving the Fulani hardly make the front pages and when they do they are linked with criminal activity. Also, the results of the study showed that majority of the stories involving the Fulani show lack of first-hand witness by the journalist and over reliance on secondary account as well as rumoured account. There is also identity labeling of the Fulani ethnic group when individual herdsmen are being referred to. The content analysis indicate that the framing of issues relating to Fulanis portray them as being passive and led by their public representation of being “settlers” rather than having a sense of belonging and community/national aspirations.