Analysis of Newspaper Reportage on Fuel Subsidy Removal from June – July 2023 in The Guardian and The Punch Newspapers in Nigeria

Abstract

Fuel subsidy refers to a government intervention strategy where a portion of the production or distribution cost of petroleum products is covered by the state to ensure affordability for consumers. In Nigeria, successive administrations have implemented fuel subsidies as a means of promoting economic stability and easing the financial burden on citizens. However, growing concerns over the fiscal sustainability of the policy, particularly its contribution to the national debt, have led to increased advocacy for its removal. In line with these concerns, the Federal Government Nigeria, under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, officially discontinued the subsidy regime in June 2023. This study investigates the newspaper coverage of the fuel subsidy removal between June and July 2023 in two prominent national dailies—The Guardian and The Punch. Utilizing content analysis methodology, the research examines the nature of the coverage in terms of frequency, prominence, tone (direction), type of report, and the size/length of the articles. Findings indicate that both newspapers dedicated substantial attention to the issue, with a notable prevalence of negative tones across their reports. The study concludes that the print media played an active role in shaping public discourse on the policy and recommends that newspapers adopt a more proactive editorial stance on matters of national importance. Rather than merely reflecting public sentiment, newspapers should contribute substantively to policy debates as critical stakeholders in national governance.