Global Journal of Human-Social Science, A: Arts and Humanities, Volume 22 Issue 4

Tab. 5: Distribution of the Selected Newspaper Reports on Human Trafficking Newspapers Contents Total Labour Trafficking Sex Trafficking Organ Trafficking Forced Marriage Child Trafficking No % No % No % No % No % No % Vanguard 2 6.2% 4 13% - - 1 3% 8 25% 15 47% The Guardian 3 9.3% 2 6.2% - - 2 6.2% 3 9.3% 10 31% The Nigerian Observer 3 9.3% 2 6.2% - - - - 2 6.2% 7 22% Total 8 25% 8 25% - - 3 9% 13 41% 32 100% Source: Content Analysis 2022 The table above, shows the forms of human trafficking stories reported by the newspapers. Stories on labour trafficking accounted for 8 (25%) stories, sex trafficking stories were also 8 (25%), 3 stories (9%) were on forced marriage and those on child trafficking were 13 (41%), while no report were carried on the menace of organ trafficking. This indicate that child trafficking is the highest form of human trafficking stories reported by the newspapers reviewed. Tab. 6: Prominence attached to Reports on Human Trafficking Newspapers Placement Human trafficking Reports Total Issues Front Page Inside Page Back Page No % No % No % Vanguard - - 15 0.4% - - 15 0.4% 1749 The Guardian 1 00.3% 9 0.3% - - 10 0.3% 1020 The Nigerian Observer 1 00.3% 6 0.2% - - 7 0.2% 601 Total 2 0.1% 30 0.9% - - 32 1% 3370 Source: Content Analysis 2022 The data displayed in the table above shows the prominence given by the selected papers to the report on human trafficking. From the total number of 3370 stories published, only 32 stories were on human trafficking with meager (1%) prominence. With reference to their placement, stories on inside page has the highest score 30 (0.9%), followed by 2 (0.1%) stories at the front page while there is no stories on human trafficking on the back page of the Nigerian dailies. Notwithstanding, one can infer that prominence given to human trafficking matters on the lead pages of the newspapers is extremely low when compared to the value given to other issues reported within the same period. Tab. 7: Pattern of Coverage on Human Trafficking Newspapers Items Total News Features Editorial Opinions Cartoons Photo No % No % No % No % No % No % No % Vanguard 14 44% - - - - 1 3% - - - - 15 47% The Guardian 7 22% - - - - 2 6.2% - - 1 3% 10 31% The Nigerian Observer 7 22% - - - - - - - - - - 7 22% Total 28 88% - - - - 3 9% - - 1 3% 32 100% Source: Content Analysis 2022 The table above reveals the analysis of the pattern of coverage on human trafficking in the newspapers studied. A total number of 32 items were distributed across the items. News items on human trafficking were 28 (88%). Comparatively, Vanguard newspaper had 14 (44%); Guardian had 7 (22%) while the Nigerian Observer also had 7 (22%). Opinions items on human trafficking were 3 (9%), Vanguard had 1(3%), while Guardian had 2 (6%). Photo items is just 1 (3%) reported by the Guardian newspaper. The following Volume XXII Issue IV Version I 54 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2022 © 2022 Global Journals A A Content Analysis of Newspapers’ Coverage of Human Trafficking in Nigeria