Executive Summary
In order to increase the representation of marginalised voices in the media and improve accountability at the sub-national and local level, Safer-Media Initiative conducted a survey to assess media coverage of marginalised people, places and issues in the six Local Area councils (LAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. This report presents the findings of the survey. Eighty (80) questionnaires were distributed to each LAC, and a total of 481 questionnaires were returned and analysed. Factored in were the voices of marginalised groups, including Women, Youths and Persons with Disability. The findings of this survey therefore provide baseline for an intervention within SMI's mandate under the Strengthening Journalism – Independence, Capacity and Presence (SJ-ICAP) Project.
STUDY OBJECTIVE
The general objective of this baseline study is to provide evidence-based analysis on the visibility of marginalised voices in the media, the level of media coverage of local issues and in-depth reporting on governance and accountability at the local levels for implementation of the SJ-ICAP Project under the Collaborative Media Project.
Key Findings
- 1. The survey revealed that majority (69.4%) of survey respondents rate the level of media coverage of issues around their community unsatisfactory.
- 2. A large number of respondents (71.1%) opined that there would be recorded change when issues that affect people in the community are reported in the news.
- 3. The survey also underscores the need for in-depth reporting of local issues, including governance and accountability as a majority 52.8% of the survey respondents said issues around their communities are not well reported in the news.
- 4. 63.6% of respondents request to find their voices in the news; reveals the need to increase the representation of marginalised voices - Women, Youths and Persons with disabilities - in the news.
- 5. A large proportion of respondents 69.0% are of the opinion that national politics is reported more often than local issues.
Recommendations
SMI recommends the survey report as a reference tool to newsrooms and journalists interested in creating new beats and stories that will give voice to some of the most under represented groups in society.
Among other key findings, this survey identified priority areas that the population would want to find often in news coverage. These include Youth Unemployment, Government Accountability, Regulatory failure, Health, Education etc. In the next few weeks, applications will be opened for journalists interested in telling stories that are vital for these communities. Following the call for application, Safer-Media Initiative will select, train and support local journalists to cover these topics and uncover the stories that need to be told.
