Thesis (PhD) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Communication and Media Studies

This study examines the dynamics of secessionist crisis reporting from the perspective
of journalists as agents of representation in their role as agenda setters. The study uses
the Nigerian Renewed Biafra and the Cameroon Anglophone secessionist crises as
examples of contemporary restive crises, characterized by the abuse of human rights
and the loss of freedom of expression, as seen in the arrests and death of journalists
like Samuel Wazizi in line of their reporting. Grounded in the social responsibility
theory of the media, the study uses a mixed method approach to examine journalism
professionalism in the secessionist regions of Nigeria and Cameroon with respect to
these crises. In so doing, the study analyses the framing dynamics of the crises by print
media in these regions, surveys the influence of the crises on journalism
professionalism, and examines the gatekeeping strategies in the media reporting of the
crises, suggesting possible ways of enhancing journalistic objectivity.
The content analysis of four newspapers in the secessionist regions, comprising of
private and state-owned media, revealed that there was a concerted effort by journalists
to define the problem and treatment recommendations through their episodic framing
of the crises. The reporters of these crises however, were largely independent of the
constraints characterizing the media systems of their respective countries as they
determined the framing dynamics of their reports. These results were confirmed by the
survey of 302 journalists from both countries, which revealed that despite the variety
of sanctions meted on journalists in these regions and the stifling nature of press
freedom, there was still a possibility for journalists to be professional in their practice.
This was proven through the nuances of the Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative
Analysis, complementing the multiple regression analysis on factors affecting
journalism professionalism. Confirming the stifling gatekeeping practices through
different levels of censorship ranging from self, editorial, state and secessionist
movements respectively, 11 sanctioned journalists in their interviews recommended
actions to be taken by these respective agents to liberate the media system in order to
further enhance journalism professionalism in the reporting of these crises.