Framing Theory, Political Speeches and Nigerian Newspapers

Abstract

Framing is increasingly gaining research attention in communication and media studies because communication plays a central role in politics, which exerts substantial influence on other spheres of democratic society. This study examined framing theory, political speeches, and Nigerian newspapers with emphasis on the characteristic framing patterns adopted in newspaper coverage of political speeches and the implications for the reading public. Framing highlights the presentational modes used in news narration and points to the chain of influence linking media construction and audience interpretation. Drawing from empirical evidence in existing literature, the study revealed that the framing of political speeches could significantly shape audience perception, interpretation, and political understanding. The paper reviewed recent empirical studies on framing and established that Nigerian newspapers exhibit identifiable framing patterns in their journalistic surveillance of political activities, which may produce consequences for audience perception and electoral behaviour. Findings further showed that both verbal and non-verbal framing devices within political speeches can influence public opinion and potentially manipulate the electorate. The study concluded that newspaper framing remains a powerful tool in political communication and democratic discourse. Consequently, the study recommended that political reporters should consistently identify verbal and non-verbal frames in politicians’ speeches and critically evaluate their manipulative potentials, while newspaper organisations should regularly train and retrain political correspondents to keep them informed about emerging framing techniques and contemporary reportorial practices.