In politics today, the media are very important in reporting political activities. There are certain ways they report political actors which allow the people to develop a level of perception about the politicians. The media often frame reports, not only for people on what they should think about (agenda setting)but on how they should think (framing). This study  critically examines the types of framing that the media explored during the 2015 presidential elections in Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENT

 Titles                             pages  

Title page                    i 

Certification                    ii 

Dedication                    iii 

Acknowledgements                   iv

 Table of content                  vi 

List of Tables                    ix 

Acronyms                     x 

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 

1.1    Background to the study              1 

1.2    Statement of the Problem              6 

1.3    Research questions                9 

1.4   Purpose of the study                9 

1.5   Significance of the study               10 

1.6   Scope of study                  10 

1.7   Limitations of the study                11 

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELEVANT LITERATURE 

2.0 Introduction                  12 

2.1 The concept of framing                12 

2.2 Types of Frames Employed in the Coverage of Elections      14 

2.3 Direction of News Framing on Political Parties/Candidates      19 

7  2.4 Factors that Influence Media News Framing          22 

2.5 Role of Media in Politics                26 

2.6 Theoretical Framework: Framing Theory           30 

2.7 Empirical Studies                  33 

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 

3.0 Introduction                  41 

3.1 Research Design                  41 

3.2 Study Population                  41

 3.3 Study Period                  42 

3.4 Sampling Technique and Sample Size            42 

3.5 Unit of Analysis                  43 

3.6 Research Instrument                43 

3.7 Method of Data Collection               52 

3.8 Method of Data Analysis                54 

3.9 Validity and Reliability of Instruments            54 

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS 

4.0 introduction                  56 

4.1 Discussion of Findings in Relation to Research Questions       56 

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMMENDATIONS 

5.0 Introduction                  88

 5.1 Summary                    88

 5.2 Conclusion                  91 

8  5.3 Recommendations                 92

REFERENCES                  94

APPENDIX                     98