Framing the Accra Floods: How the Daily Graphic and the Daily Guide Newspapers Covered the Flooding in Accra.
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Date
2015-10
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University of Ghana
Abstract
Flooding is undoubtedly one of the global natural disasters with the most debilitating effects on
both humans and other living things alike. It is the leading and most frequent cause of natural
disaster fatalities worldwide. It has become such a global concern that both developed and
developing countries give maximum attention to it in finding ways of minimizing, if not
preventing, its effects. The objective of this study is not to describe the impact of flood events on
human populations in terms of mortality, injury and displacement but to look at the extent to
which the media give prominence to stories of flooding in the capital of Ghana and the angling
of the reportage on this natural disaster. The period between 2014 and 2015 has been full of
several flooding disasters in Accra with unforgettable loss of lives and property. It was expected
of the print media especially to give comprehensive coverage of these occurrences in order to
give valuable information about prevention, recovery and mitigation. The focus is on two print
media in Ghana; the Daily Graphic and the Daily Guide.
The study found out that most of the stories on flooding focused on the loss of human lives and
properties. Other aspects of flooding that were highlighted in the newspaper articles include
ordeals and challenge of flood victims, effects of flooding on human lives and donations to flood
victims. The study further found that nearly 60% of flood stories were placed on the front, centre
and back pages of the two newspapers indicating that the two attached prominence to the
phenomenon. Findings from the work also suggested that there were no real significant
differences between the coverage of Daily Guide and Daily Graphic on the subject. The study
concluded by suggesting that journalists must desist from unnecessary sensationalisation of
flood-related stories. Rather, they should attach a great deal of professionalism to their reportage
Description
Thesis (M.A) University of Ghana,2015
Keywords
Daily Guide Newspapers, Framing, Daily Graphic, the Flooding in Accra