Promotion of Health Millennium Development Goals by Selected Newspapers in Nigeria

Abstract The paper examines the extent of coverage of health stories in terms of the format in which they were reported as well as the direction of coverage and the major personae. Using content analysis, four national dailies were selected – Guardian, Vanguard, The Nation and This Day. The study found that health stories where highly reported, especially as this affect Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world, in that order. The study also found that the health stories mostly reported were HIV/AIDS and malaria and less of child mortality and maternal health. The paper concludes that health-related MDGs when adequately covered by newspapers would help the people to know health issues as it affects them and enhance individual and communal health. Key Words: Millennium Development Goals, Health Promotion, Nigerian Newspapers, Maternal Health. JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 3, No. 1, April 2011, 151 – 163. © Delmas Communications Ltd About the authors *Olujimi Olusola Kayode is a Lecturer in the Department of Journalism, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria. **Noeem Taiwo Thanny is a Lecturer in the Department of Public Relations and Advertising, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria. ***Aishat Oluwaseun Abisiga is a Lecturer in the Department of Public Relations and Advertising Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria. Full Article Words: 6,628; Pages: 13