PRESS COVERAGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN THE … Godwin.pdf · Table 1 Oil spill and the volume in barrels between 1976 and 1983 Table 2 Oil spill incidences in 2001. Table 3

PRESS COVERAGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

IN THE NIGER DELTA. A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE

GUARDIAN, VANGUARD, DAILY SUN AND THISDAY

NEWSPAPERS

BY

NNAJI, GODWIN O.

REG. NO. PG/MA/10/52937

A Research Project Submitted To The Department Of Mass Communication,

University Of Nigeria, Nsukka In Partial Fulfillment For The Award

Of Master Of Arts Degree In Mass Communication

DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION,

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA.

JULY 2012

CERTIFICATION

This research project is an original work of Nnaji Godwin with registration number

PG/MA/10/52937. It satisfies the requirements for presentation of research report in the

Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria Nsukka.

____________________________ ______________________________

Okoro, N. M. (Ph.D) Okoro, N. M. (Ph.D)

Supervisor Date Head of Department Date

_________________________________________

External Examiner Date

DEDICTION

To God Almighty for His grace and favour upon humanity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My gratitude goes to my wife; Gloria Chinyere Nnaji for her support and

encouragement throughout the period of the study.

Also, I appreciate the contributions of lecturers of Mass Communication

Department, University of Nigeria Nsukka such as Miss E. U. Ohaja, L. I. Anorue and A.

C. Ekwueme in reshaping me into what I am today. Above all, is my project supervisor

Nnanyelugo Okoro (Ph.D) for his assistance and guidance. May the good Lord bless all of

you. Amen.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page - - - - - - - - - - i

Certification Page - - - - - - - - - ii

Dedication - - - - - - - - - - iii

Acknowledgments - - - - - - - - - iv

Table of Contents - - - - - - - - - v

List of Tables - - - - - - - - - - viii

Abstract - - - - - - - - - - ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study - - - - - - - - 1

1.2 Statement of Problem - - - - - - - - 7

1.3 Objectives of the Study - - - - - - - - 8

1.4 Research Questions - - - - - - - - 9

1.5 Significance of Study - - - - - - - - 9

1.6 Definition of Term - - - - - - - - 10

References - - - - - - - - - 11

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Focus of Review - - - - - - - - - 12

2.2 Causes of Environmental Pollution in Niger Delta - - - - 15

2.3 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - - - 32

References - - - - - - - - - 34

CHAPTER THERE: METHODOLOGY

3.1. Research Design - - - - - - - - - 36

3.2. Population of Study - - - - - - - - 36

3.3. Sample Size - - - - - - - - - 36

3.4. Sampling Technique - - - - - - - - 36

3.5. Unit of Analysis - - - - - - - - - 37

3. 6. Measuring Instrument - - - - - - - - 37

3.7. Validity/ Reliability - - - - - - - - 38

3.8. Method of Data Analysis- - - - - - - - 38

3.9 Limitations of Methodology - - - - - - - 38

References - - - - - - - - - 39

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Description of the Sample - - - - - - - - 40

4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis - - - - - - - 41

4.3 Discussion on Findings - - - - - - - - 46

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - - - 49

5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - 50

5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - - - 50

Bibliography - - - - - - - - - 52

Appendix 1 Editions sampled systematically at 3rd

intervals - - - - 55

Appendix 2 Coding Guide for the analysis of press coverage of Environmental

Pollution in the Niger Delta - - - - - - 57

Appendix 3 Coding Sheet for the analysis of press coverage of Environmental

Pollution in the Niger Delta - - - - - - 59

Appendix 4 News articles in the Sample - - - - - - 61

Appendix 5 Stories on Environmental Pollution in the Niger Delta - - - 63

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Oil spill and the volume in barrels between 1976 and 1983

Table 2 Oil spill incidences in 2001.

Table 3 Other oil pollution incidences in the Niger Delta.

Table 4 Sample distribution by newspapers studied.

Table 5 Coverage of environmental pollution in the Niger Delta.

Table 6 Extent of coverage given to environmental pollution in Niger Delta by the

Nigerian press.

Table 7 Nature of news coverage given to environment pollution in the Niger Delta

by the Nigeria press.

Table 8 News placement of environmental pollution in the Niger Delta

Table 9 Forms of environmental pollution prevalent in the Niger Delta.

ABSTRACT

Since man’s activity is done in the environment and the resultant effect is either negative

or positive to man, the press as the watchdog of the society is expected to draw attention of

all and Daily Sundry to environmental issues around them; one of which is environmental

pollution. Hence, the study investigated press coverage of environmental pollution in the

Niger Delta region by content analyzing four national newspapers: The Guardian,

Vanguard, Daily Sun and Thisday with the view to finding out whether the Nigerian press

cover environmental pollution in the Niger Delta, the extent of their coverage, the nature

of news coverage given to environmental pollution in the region and forms of

environmental pollution prevalent in the region as covered by the four newspapers. This

study reveals that little coverage and low interpretation was given to the subject matter.

Also, that no story on the subject matter made the front or back pages of the newspapers

studied within the 9 months study period. Finally, that the most reported aspect of

environmental pollution in the region is oil pollution and related activities. The findings

led to the suggestions that media organizations should assign beat reporters to cover

environmental issues in the country especially in the Niger Delta region. Also suggested is

the introduction of environmental education in the school curriculum from primary to

tertiary institutions to inculcate in the masses environmental friendly attitudes. Again, that

government should ensure strict compliance to environmental laws in the country.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

One of the greatest problems facing the Niger Delta region in Nigeria is that of

environmental pollution which causes great damages to the earth. Environmental pollution

takes place when the environment cannot process and neutralize harmful by-products of

human activities in due course without any structural or functional damage to its system.

Pollution occurs when the natural environment is unable to decompose the

generated elements and on the other hand, when man fail to decompose these pollutants

artificially. This has negative impacts on crucial environmental services such as provision

of clean water, air and arable land without which life on earth as we know it would be

difficult.

Environmental pollution is a problem both in developed and developing countries.

Factors such as population growth and urbanization invariably place greater demands on

the environment and stretch the use of natural resources to the maximum. Such overuse of

natural resources often results in nature‟s degradation.

Human environment is made up of the following aspects: The physical, social,

economic, political and technological. The physical environment consists of air, land and

water; the social environment consists of the relationships existing among them; the

technological environment consists of experiences and practices required for constant

adaptation and survival; while the political environment is defined by the degree of

authority exercised by some over others.

The environment is said to be polluted when there is substantial alteration in form

and function of the components of the physical environment which in turn produces

harmful effects on human beings. The key word here is “substantial”, which is used to

show that no component of the physical environment can be considered to be polluted until

it has been altered in form or function in such a way that it can immediately or potentially

harm human being directly or indirectly.

Environmental pollution may cause short term or long term detriment to the earth‟s

ecological balance which lowers the quality of life. Pollutants may cause primary damage

with direct identifiable impact on the environment or secondary damage in form of minor

changes in the delicate balance of the environment that are detectable over a long period.

With the increase in waste production, indiscriminate discharge of untreated industrial and

domestic wastes into water ways, the spewing of thousands of tones of particulates and

airborne gases into the atmosphere, the “throw away” attitude toward solid wastes, and the

use of newly developed chemicals without considering the potential consequences have

resulted in major environmental disasters which will eventually force governments,

groups, organizations and individuals to undertake more effective environmental planning

and adopt more effective anti-pollution measures

In Niger Delta, one of the threatening environmental problems prevalent in the area

is environmental pollution caused by oil exploration and related activities. As an oil

producing region, oil spillage is one of the most outstanding causes of water and land or

soil pollution while air pollution is mostly caused by gas flaring and industrial effluents.

The direct impact of oil exploration in the region has been felt by everyone living in the

area. Some of these issues include ecological degradation, environmental pollution,

associated human rights abuses, high inflation and loss of livelihood. It could only be fair

if these groups of people are appropriately compensated.

Niger Delta, according to Ashong and Aniefiok(2007), is of two classifications,

namely: physiographic (core) Niger Delta and oil producing Niger Delta. The core Niger

Delta includes states like Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Rivers.

The Niger Delta as currently defined by government comprises Abia, Akwa-Ibom,

Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers states with a total of 185 local

government areas and a combined population of over 28million persons. Such inclusion of

other oil producing states from other geo-political zones Ekpo (2004) sees as a measure of

administrative convenience adopted by the government.

The resulting ecological devastation as a result of oil exploration and related

activities are enormous. Oil film in water prevents natural aeration killing fish and other

aquatic lives, farm lands are lost, drinking water and air are made unsafe for human

consumption. The resulting impact on the residents is enormous, yet the amounts of wealth

generated from these areas are not reinvested in order to lessen these environmental

impacts. This clearly could culminate into environmental racism and discriminatory acts, a

systematic denial of rights.

The mangrove forests of the Niger Delta are important ecological resource as they

provide essential ecosystem including soil stability, medicines, healthy fisheries, wood for

fuel and shelter, tannins and dyes, and critical wildlife habitats. Oil spills contributes to

degradation and destruction of the mangrove forests. Endangered species such as Delta

elephant, the white monkey, the river hippopotamus, and crocodiles are increasingly

threatened by the activities of the oil companies.

During creation, God made the earth a beautiful place for man to inhabit. In the

book of Isaiah 45:18, it reads, “for thus said the Lord that created the heavens; God himself

that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he

formed it to be inhabited”. Unfortunately, man‟s action and inaction is destroying the

mother earth which is meant to sustain life. Hence, there is the need to put structures in

place to minimize the risk or negative effects of necessary actions of man on the

environment and aid effective information dissemination on environmental friendly

attitudes.

It is pertinent to note that nature sustains its inhabitants and the fate of nature

depends in human hands. Therefore, mans survival depends on how the mother earth is

sustained. This calls for adopting an environmental friendly attitude capable of entrenching

a healthy environment able of meeting human needs, as well as support healthy living.

Such environmental friendly attitude can be achieved through environmental education and

strict adherence to environmental laws and regulations in the country.

Man‟s activities on the environment upon which he exists calls for caution from

different organization, convention and institution at local and global levels as intervention

measures aimed at checking man inhumanity to nature. Such abuse by man upon the

environment is termed environmental degradation or environmental pollution.

The issue of man‟s insensitivity to his environment was considered so important by

the United Nation General Assembly that in 1984, it set up a body known as the World

Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) to formulate a global agenda for

a positive change in this area. Back home in Africa, the first African Ministerial

Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) held in Cairo, Egypt came up with what they

called the Cairo Programme for African Co-operation, which among other things

emphasized the need for backing environmental degradation or pollution (Onumonu, 1986)

In Nigeria there exist several regulations aimed at achieving friendly activities in

our environment. Some of these laws are:

The Mineral Oil (safety) Regulation of 1967 which asserts that pressure vessels

used in oil field and platform installations should not standard speculated by the

Department of Petroleum Resources in line with international standard. Also, it requires

that noxious or inflammable gases should be discharged safely (Adeyanju 2004).

Oil in Navigable Water Act of 1990: The Act prohibits the discharge of oil into the

territorial or navigable inland waters from land or any apparatus used for transferring oil

from or to a tanker ship (Adeyanju Supra).

Petroleum (Drilling and production) Regulation of 1969 amended in 1973 which

holds that the licensee or leasee shall adopt all practical precautions to prevent the

pollution of inland rivers, water course, the territorial water of Nigeria or the seas by oil,

mud or other fluids or substances that might cause harm to fresh water or marine life.

(Adeyanju, 2004).

Oil Pipeline Act of 1990: This provides for a compensation to be paid by a holder

of a license to any person whose land or interest in land is injuriously affected by the

exercise of the right conferred by the licence provided such damage or injury is not an

account of the sufferers‟ own default or on account of the malicious act of a third party.

Such continued negligence on the environment prompted the setting up of United

Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) charged with global environmental monitoring

and regulation. Similarly, in Nigeria, Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA)

was established by decree No. 58 of 1998 to ensure the protection of the environment from

the abuse of the oil companies. This led to the setting of similar agencies in the states of

the federation. The Agency (FEPA) became a full fledge Ministry- Federal Ministry of

Environment in 1999 saddled with the responsibility of protecting Nigerian environment

and conserving her resources as well. Other institutions set up by the government include:

Department of Petroleum Resources charged with the responsibility of ensuring

compliance to various regulations on oil (Adeyanju, 2004).

These bodies are charged with maintaining environmental friendliness through

monitoring and coordinating human activities at the international, national and local levels.

They are to sensitize and persuade individuals, groups and organizations on dangers of less

environmental friendly attitudes and to regulate man‟s activities on the environment as

well.

However, the problem still remains how the activities of these bodies, agencies and

ministry are reported upon or gets to the publics to achieve the intended results. Thus, the

study attempts to find out if Nigerian press do cover environmental pollution in the Niger

Delta, analyze the quantity and the nature of coverage or reportage given to environmental

pollution in the Niger Delta region of the country from September, 2010 to May, 31 2011

(nine months) using four selected national newspapers and suggest environmental

education as a means of reducing environmental pollution in the Niger Delta.

Despite all the efforts of the earlier mentioned bodies and organizations, many

industrial outfits disregard the environmental laws to make man pay more of socio-

economic price than the monetary price of their products or services. This socio-economic

price is what man pays for exhibiting less environmental friendly attitudes. Man must

therefore desist from all activities that tend to change the balance of nature either for profit

or development purposes since the bill for every intervention may come decades later and

sometimes even to a different address, but environmental damages definitely have to be

paid for by someone, somewhere, sometimes.

Continued pollution of the environment in form of air, water or land pose much

threats to life. It has become so serious that rain water is no longer fit for human

consumption due to the contamination of rain (acid rain) and ground water unsafe equally

due to waste disposal and oil spillage. Also, air pollution causes breathing and respiratory

diseases, cardiovascular diseases etc. On the other hand, soil contamination can alter

metabolism of micro-organism and arthropods in a given environment which may destroy

layers of primary food chain.

Human activities and the environment are inter-related. This is because any activity

of man is done in the environment and the resultant effect is either positive or negative to

man. The press as the watchdog of the society is expected to draw attention of the public,

the government and organizations to environmental problems around them; one of which is

environmental pollution. It is against this backdrop that the study seeks to investigate press

coverage of environmental pollution in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria using content

analytical research method. The study spans from September 1, 2010– May 31 2011.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Years of insensitivity to environmental issues or near complete lack of attention to

environmental concerns have turned the Niger Delta into one of the most endangered

ecosystems in the country. Various forms of ecological activities go on in the region.

Prominent among them is oil exploration. This has led to springing up of industries whose

activities also generate wastes which are not properly managed and result in environmental

pollution.

Successful environmental pollution management is dependent on successful

enlightenment campaign to educate, sensitize and mobilize the populace in the struggle to

ensure a safe and sustainable environment. However, socially responsible media are

expected to serve as a tool / means to inform, educate, persuade and provide environmental

surveillance, correlate societal responses to the environment, transmit and aid policies for a

behavioural change. However, behavioural change communication can be effective

through advocacy, beat reporting and embedded approaches that will provide regular,

adequate and up-to-date information and opinions on the environment.

Since there is a great link between awareness or knowledge and action, socially

responsible media in their reporting can make issues to be seen as important at a given

time in a given society by placing emphasis on issues. This could be through frequency of

reports, prominence given to report and analysis of issues in their reportage. Thus, the

study seeks to content analyze the press coverage given to environmental pollution in the

Niger Delta from September 1, 2010– May, 31 2011 using four selected national

newspapers.

1.3 Objectives of Study

1. To find out if Nigerian press covers environmental pollution in Niger Delta region.

2. To find out the extent of coverage given to environmental pollution in the Niger

Delta region.

3. To find out the nature of news coverage given by the Nigerian press on

environmental pollution in Niger Delta.

4. To find out types of environmental pollution that is prevalent in the Niger Delta.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions provide more focus to the study;

1. Does Nigerian press cover environmental pollution in the Niger Delta?

2. What is the extent of coverage given to environmental pollution in the Niger

Delta?

3. What is the nature of reportage (straight news, features, editorials and cartoons)

given to environmental pollution in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian press?

4. What are the types of environmental pollution prevalent in the Niger Delta?

1.5 Significance of Study

1. The study will provide to the government an insight into the level of pollution prevalent

in the Niger Delta and the need to pursue a sustainable environment.

2. It will equip waste managers in the region with ideas on the prevailing forms and causes

of environmental pollution in the region thereby serve as a guide on how to manage and

maintain a healthy environment.

3. The study will expose to the public health hazards associated with polluted environment

as a result of oil exploration and related activities.

4. It will showcase the efforts of the press toward achieving a healthy environment through

environmental surveillance.

5. To the academia and future researchers this study will serve as reference material even

as it adds to the existing stock of knowledge in environmental pollution and social

responsibilities of the press to the society in which it operates.

1.6 Definition of Terms

Press: This refers to journalists that work for the print media (newspapers and magazines).

Press coverage: Journalists reportage of news, stories, issues and events in the newspapers

as it concerns environmental pollution in the Niger Delta.

Environmental Pollution: This refers to any addition to the environment (land, air and

water) which threatens the health, survival or activities of human, other living organisms

and plant.

Niger Delta: Nine oil producing states from south-south, south-east and south-west

geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

REFERENCES

Ashong, C.A. and Udoudo, A.J.(2007). Media coverage of environmental

pollution as a factor in agricultural development in the Niger Delta. In

International Journal of communication No.6 May 2007 pp 193-204

Folarin, B. (1998). Theories of mass communication, Ibadan. Stirling-

Horden publishers.

Ndolo, I.S. (2006). Mass media systems and society, Enugu, Rhyce Kerex

publishers.

Nwosu and Uffoh (2005). Environmental Public Relations Management:

Principles, Strategies, Issues and Cases, IDS UNN Enugu

Campus, Enugu.

Onumonu, A (1986). Cited in Nwosu and Uffoh (2005: 245), Environmental

Public Relations Management: Principles, Strategies, Issues and

Cases, IDS UNN Enugu Campus, Enugu.

Onyilo, M.A (2011). An Assessment of Press Reports on Environmental Issues

in Nigeria in I.S.Ndolo (ed) Contemporary Issues of Communication

and Society. Rhyce Kerex Publishers, Enugu, Niger.

Usman, J (2006). Development News Reporting. Evans Brothers Publishers ltd,

Ibadan, Nigeria.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Focus of the Review

Pollution is the introduction by man into the environment of substances or energy

liable to cause hazards to human health, harm to living resource as ecological damage; or

interference with legitimate uses of the environmental (M.W. Holdgate 1993).

Environmental pollution according to Miller (1998) is “any addition to air, water, soil or

food that threatens the health, survival or activities of human or other living organism”.

Such chemical or form of energy that causes harm is called pollutant. The pollutants can be

solid, liquid, or gaseous products or wastes produced when a resource is extracted,

processed, made into products or used. Equally, it can take the form of unwanted energy

emissions, such as excessive heat or radiation (Miller Supra).

Similarly, Mahoney(1999) states that the United Kingdom‟s Protection of

Environment Act (1990) declares pollution of the environment as what is released into any

environmental medium as a result of human activity which is capable of causing harm to

human or other living organisms supported by the environment.

One of the greatest problems that the Niger Delta region is facing today is that of

environmental pollution emanating from oil exploration, extraction and related activities.

Environmental pollution of the physical environment is of three basic types, namely; air

pollution, water pollution and soil \ land pollution.

Air Pollution: This is the presence of contaminated or polluted substances in the air that

do not disperse properly and thus interfere with human health or welfare or produce other

environmental effects which result in poor ambient air quality. According to Nwosu

(2003), air pollution has to do with the dangerous contamination of the atmosphere, which

reduces the quality of the air we breathe.

Air pollution can be caused by nature and can be man-made. Some of the natural

causes include volcanic eruption, whirl winds or wind storms, earthquakes and so on.

While the man-made causes include wrong solid waste disposals, gas flames, oil

exploration, production and use, industrial pollution and many other such factors which

also have damaging effects on both aquatic and terrestrial life (Uchegbu 1998).

In Nigeria, ambient air pollution emanates from three major sources: energy generation,

industry and transportation-all of which increase with population and economic growth

while households, commercial and industrial activities produce a wide range of air

pollutants. Other pollutants to monitor regularly for better air quality are what the World

Health Organization (WHO) calls the “classical” pollutants. These are lead suspended

particulate matter (SPM), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone particulate matter

(term for the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air).

The resultant effects of air pollution are: reduced lung functioning, irritation of

eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. Others include increased respiratory disease such as

bronchitis; reduced energy level, disruption endocrine, reproductive and immune system;

neurobehavioral disorders, cardiovascular problems, climatic change and so on.

Water Pollution: Water pollution occurs when a concentration of certain pollutants are

introduced into the water or water source for reasonably long period for it to have some

negative effects on the physical, biological and chemical qualities of water (Nwosu and

Uffoh 2005). Water pollution takes place at either the surface or ground levels. Surface

water includes such water bodies as streams, rivers, oceans, run-offs, lakes, lagoon etcetera

while underground water consists of water that has percolated below the top soil and

usually to an aquifer.

Surface water is usually polluted through industrial waste, faecal discharges or

other dissolved organic solids, run-offs and chemical discharges while ground water is

usually polluted by compounds such as lead. These eventually find there way to the

aquifers. Water pollution can also indirectly occur as an offshoot of soil pollution. All

these make marine life not hospitable. In Niger Delta and other oil producing areas, oil

spillage is definitely one of the most outstanding causes of water and even land pollution.

Land/ Soil Pollution

This is the alteration of form and function of terrestrial biosphere through improper

handing of human, household and commercial wastes. Soil contamination also occurs

when chemicals are released by spill or underground tank leakage into the soil. Such

contaminants may include hydrocarbons, heavy metals, chlorinated hydrocarbons etc.

Hydrocarbons refer to chemical substances formed exclusively from carbon and hydrogen.

Petroleum hydrocarbons are naturally occurring hydrocarbon substances and, depending on

the length of the carbon chain, can occur in gas or solid form. These are formed by the

decay of organic substances trapped within sedimentary rocks. High temperatures and

pressure convert the trapped matter into hydrocarbons. Liquid hydrocarbon found in nature

is also referred to as crude oil (UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland 2011).

These wastes are categorized according to their form and source. In terms of form,

there are biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Biodegradable wastes are those that can

decompose through microbial activity while non-biodegradable wastes are not easily

decomposed by microbial activity and last very long before decomposing. Non-

biodegradable wastes include such polyethylene-based materials as plastics and rubber.

Others are glass and asbestos containing materials. Also, wastes can be categorized as solid

or liquid in terms of form.

In terms of source, wastes are categorized as household, commercial or industrial.

Household wastes include kitchen refuse, faecal discharge and so on. Industrial wastes are

usually effluence and sludge while commercial wastes are wastes generated in the normal

cause of exchange of goods and services.

2.2 Causes of Environmental pollution in Niger Delta

a. Oil Spills

Oil spill is one of the major environmental hazards in the Niger Delta. This

particular cause of environmental hazard contaminates water, destroy plants and animals.

The causes of oil spill have been attributed to poorly maintained pipelines, „blow-outs‟ of

poorly maintained oil well and sabotage. Some pipes are rusty, some reportedly forty years

old and needs major repairs.

In Kpeen community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State where Yorla

oil field is located, there have been frequent conflicts between the oil giant Shell Petroleum

Development Company (SPDC) and the people due to oil spillages. This had in some cases

led to loss of lives and properties. For instance, in 2011 a protest by the youths over a huge

explosion which took place on April 29 at the Well 10 facility, Yorla oilfield, led to the

killing of Friday Nwiido, a welder aged 30. The explosion spilled crude oil sporadically

for days into adjacent farmlands, settlements, streams, swamps, lakes and rivers. Nwiido

joined other youths of the area who were protesting the blowout and lost his life (Ajaero

2011).

In Bodo community, oil spillage affected some creeks such as Patrick waterside,

Sivibila waterside, Sugi waterside and Kegborozor waterside. Thus, nose-diving the

fortunes of poor fishermen in the area. This deplorable situation in Yorla and Bodo is

replicated in other oil producing communities such as Korokoro, Ibubu and Nsisioken

Ogala which UNEP identified as a community where people have been drinking water

contaminated with benzene, a substance known to cause cancer, at levels over 900 times

above World Health Organization guidelines.

In a recent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP, 2011) analysis on

Ogoniland, UNEP scientists found an eight centimeter layer of refined oil floating on the

groundwater which serves wells in the area. This was reportedly linked to an oil spill

which occurred more than six years ago (Ajaero Supra).

In Niger Delta, farmlands, mangroves, fishes, drinking waters are gone due to oil

spills leading to a lost of the ecosystem. Soil of farmlands are turned cakes of crude oil,

fishes are gone due to polluted water, drinking waters are contaminated, crops are stained,

witted and die due to crude oil, fumes from gas flaring visit the people with breathing

difficulties.

Soil caked into a crust of dried crude oil

Source: UNEP (2011) Ogoniland environmental analysis.

Presenting the UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland in August 4,

2011, Ibranhim Thiaw, UNEP Director, Division for environmental policy, noted that it

took more than 14 months to do the report during which period 200 locations were visited,

122- kilometer pipeline rights of way surveyed, 5000 medical reports examined; and

23,000 people were interacted with at local community meetings. According to UNEP,

given the dynamic nature of oil pollution and extent of contamination, failure to begin

addressing urgent public health concerns and commencing a clean up will only exacerbate

and unnecessarily prolong the Ogoni people‟s suffering (Ajaero Supra).

According to UNEP reports full environmental restoration of Ogoniland will take

an estimated time of 25 to 30 years and would need N150 billion. This will be possible

through a combination of modern technology to clean up contaminated land and water

ways, backed up by practical action at the regulatory, operational and monitoring levels,

the report suggested (Ikuomola 2011 ).

Table 1: The table below shows number of oil spill and the volume in barrels in

Nigeria between 1976 and 1983.

YEAR NO. OF SPILLS VOLUME IN BARRELS

1976 128 20, 023

1977 104 31,144

1978 154 97,250

1979 157 603,405

1980 241 558,053

1981 233 22,840

1982 213 33,612

1983 130 32,467

Total 1,364 1,425,794

Source: Nwankwo and Ifeadi in Obot et al (2010)

Well Blowouts

According to United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) “blowouts” is oil

industry terminology for a situation in which control of oil well is lost during drilling or

operation. More frequent during drilling, blowouts lead to the release of hydrocarbons

(crude oil, produced water and associated gas) into the environment. Often, such mixture

will catch fire and burn until such times the well is brought back under control. Blowouts

could be caused by pressure, corrosion and illegal tapping leading to oil spills and fires.

Such fire or spill can take months before it could be brought under control. Bellow is a

picture of a well blowout.

An oil well on fire (Yorla 13, Khana LGA of Rivers State)


In 1975, Shell BP leaked 600,000 barrels of crude oil into the seas of Forcados

terminal and in 1980; 200,000 barrels of crude oil were spilled as a result of Texaco oil

well blow out. Between 1997 and 1998, more than 900,000 barrels crude oil were spilled

as a result of rupturing in Escravos terminal of Delta State (Ogboi, E in Kperegbeyi et al

2005).

Recently, on January 16, 2012, there was another blow out at Chevron‟s Funiwa

Field, 10 kilometres offshore. This has become the latest in the series of environmental

disasters in the Niger Delta due to oil and gas related operation. This will bring about

steaming temperatures, acidification of the waters and air miles around the natural gas rig,

thus causing a great damage of marine life. Communities affected by the blow out are

Koluama I and II, Sangana, Foropa, Bisangbene, Ezetu, and others, all in Bayelsa State.

Equipment failure: This is another oil spillage factor which could result from poorly

maintained equipment used in oil exploration and transportation. In May and December

2001, pressure surge valve of Exxon Mobil and SPDC opened due to equipment failure

causing Qua Iboe terminal Tank Farm spill and Umudike II spill in Ohaji Egbema Local

Government of Imo State.

b. Abandoned oil facility

An abandoned oil facility in the Niger Delta is another cause of environmental

pollution in the area. In Ogoniland for example, some containers are left lying around since

SPDC were forced out of the area some years ago. Where such containers are not empty,

there are no indications of the contents. Tampering with such facility may lead to fire

outbreak. From the environmental point of view, UNEP notes that corrosion of such

metallic objects leads to ground contamination by heavy metals

c. Artisanal Refining

Artisanal refining means local and crude way of refining petroleum products. This

involves the use of metal drums to boil crude oil whose fumes are collected in tanks

through pipes welded together. This is common in the Niger Delta region where distilleries

are heated on open fire throwing dark plumes of smokes into the air and increasing the risk

of fire outbreak. Also, soil where such practice took place will suffer contamination from

hydrocarbons. Bellow is photograph showing air pollution resulting from artisanal refining

and the resultant effect on the land.

Smoke from artisanal refining, a common sight in Ogoniland


The locations at which artisanal refining has been carried out present a picture of total

environmental devastation. See the picture below.


Table 2: Some oil pollution incidences in Nigeria

YEAR LOCATION QUANTITY

SPILLED

CAUSES OF

SPILLAGE

EFFECT ON

ENVIRONMENT

1979 Forcados

terminal

570,000 Terminal had

accidental rupture

of the bottom plate

Fishing activities

inhabited Mangrove

destroyed

1980 Funiwa oil well

blow out

421,000 Oil well blow out Destruction to fish,

crab, etc. socio-

economic activities

affected

1980 Oyakama 30,000 Over 25 hectares of

land destroyed

1981 Abudu pipeline 5,240 Pay loader

destroyed oil

pipeline

Damage to agric

products, water, soil

and marine life

1983 Oshika 10,000 Pipeline rupture Fish destroyed, water

contaminated

1986 Funiwa oil blow

out

200,000 Oil well blow out About 350 hectares

of mangrove

destroyed; fish killed.

1994 Agoda/ Brass

oil pipeline

Pipeline corrosion Over 10 sq. km. of

farmland destroyed.

Ponds, lakes and

streams contaminated

1998 Idoho (Mobil) 401,000 Offshore discharge Over 10 sq. km. of

farmland destroyed.

Pond, lakes and

streams contaminated

2003 Kwale oil well

explosion

Maintenance of

facilities suspected

2003 Kalabilema oil

spill / explosion

Oil spilled and

explosion followed

causes not yet

ascertained

About 5 lives were

lost.

Source: Adeyanju, J. A. (2004)

d. Improper Industrial Waste Disposal

Industrial wastes are disposed in the region without regard to human life and safety

as well as its effects on the environment. An example is a waste disposed of in several

hundred big bags of 1 cubic metre reinforcement plastic bags which amounted to 1,100-

1,500 cubic metres of oil mixed with gray clay containing small rock fragments with

seeping from the bags, forming puddles in the ground and leaching into the soil (UNEP

Ogoniland environmental analysis 2011).

Tipping of oil waste in Okan Oyaa, Eleme LGA


In 1999, for instance, tragedy befell the citizens of Erovie, a community in

the Niger Detla who were poisoned by toxic waste from Shell Oil‟s Operations. Local

residents experienced health problems after Shell Oil Company injected liters of waste into

an abandoned oil well in Erovie. Many who consumed crops or drank water from swamps

in the area complained of vomiting, dizziness, stomach ache and cough. (Ofehe: 2010).

This graphic example is a case of what environmental pollution can result to.

e. Sabotage: This is a deliberate nefarious human activity on oil pipelines either for the

purpose of making quick money or willfully making oil companies suffer loss. According

Ikporukpo (1986) cited in Ekpo (2010), sabotage as an oil spillage factor accounts for 3%

of the total oil spills world wide and about 33% of oil spills in Nigeria. For instance, in

August 2001, several kilometers of the Trans Niger pipeline were excavated and cut in

sizable lengths for onward transportation to buyers. This act spilled oil at B-Dere and K-

Dere communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Also in August 2001, ¾ inch plug belonging to Exxon Mobil were removed which

led to Qua Iboe terminal spill in Mkpanak which affected vegetations, farmlands, and

buildings in the vicinity of the spill point (Ugochukwu, Onyema in Nwosu and Uffoh

2005).

Table 3: Major oil spills in the Niger Delta in 2001

SPILL

INCIDENT

DATE COMPANY

INVOLVED

CAUSES OF

SPILL

HABITAT

IMPACTED

1 Qua Iboe

terminal Tank

farm spillage

16/5/2001 Exxon Mobil Pressure

Surge; valve

Opened due

2½ km stretch

of coastline

impacted by

crude oil.

2 Oil spillage and

explosion at

Umudike II in

Ohaji Egbema

Local

Government

Area

3/11/2001 SPDC Equipment

failure

Farmland,

homes and

vegetation

3 Fire outbreak

and pipeline

vandalization at

B-Dere

Communities in

Gokana Local

Government

Area

25/8/2001 SPDC Sabotage:

several kms of

the trans Niger

pipeline were

excavated and

cut in sizeable

lengths for

onward

transportation

to buyers

Swampy Basins

and vegetation

which consists

secondary

forest and

farmland

4 Qua Iboe

terminal spill in

Mkpanak

8/8/2001 Exxon Mobil Sabotage:

suspected ¾

inch plug was

removed

Grassland and

some buildings

in the vicinity

of the spill

point

Source: Ugochukwu, Onyema in Nwosu and Uffoh (2005)

f. Gas Flaring:

Gas flaring brings about ecosystem heat stress and acid rain. Acid rain in turn

induces the destruction of fresh water fishes and forests (Adeyanju 2004). In another

report, Oladejo (1998) in Adeyanju (2004) noted that constant gas flaring in the oil

producing areas of Niger Delta contributes significantly to the atmospheric level of carbon

dioxide, which is a major component of green house gases that causes global warming

phenomenon.

Environmental Consequences of Petroleum Hydrocarbons

United Nations Environment Programme in a recent Environmental Assessment of

Ogoniland noted the followings about petroleum hydrocarbons and its consequences on the

environment. In their report, hydrocarbon is naturally occurring compound comprising

hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons can be as simple as methane (CH4), but many are

highly complex molecules and can occur as gases, liquids or solids. The molecules can

have the shape of chains, branching chains, rings, or other structures. Petroleum is a

complex mixture of hydrocarbons. The most common hydrocarbons are natural gas, oil

and coal. Hydrocarbons are formed by the decay of organic substances trapped within

sedimentary rocks. High temperatures and pressure convert the trapped matter into

hydrocarbons. Liquid hydrocarbon found in nature is also referred to as crude oil (UNEP

Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland 2011).

Looking at the environmental consequences of hydrocarbons, it is important to

remember that „hydrocarbons‟ is an umbrella term used for hundreds of different organic

compounds. Secondly, hydrocarbons can cause environmental consequences due to their

chemical properties or physical properties. The economic significance of hydrocarbons as

the primary source of fuel and its versatile application in downstream industries are

obvious, the product may also have major environmental consequences. Oil exploration,

production and processing represent prime sources of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons.

But there are other possible sources, such as vehicle and generator emissions, burning of

vegetation and trash, food processing and use of cooking fuels.

a. Impacts of Hydrocarbons on Soil

When hydrocarbons come into contact with the soil, they alter its physical and

chemical properties. The degree of alteration depends on the soil type, the specific

composition of the hydrocarbon spilled and the quantity spilled. In the least damaging

scenario, such as a small spill of a volatile hydrocarbon onto dry sand, the hydrocarbons

evaporate fast, causing no chemical or physical damage to the soil. In other situations, for

example a spill of heavy crude oil onto clay soil, the chemicals can remain within the soil

for decades, altering its permeability, causing toxicity and lowering or destroying the

quality of the soil.

In such circumstances, the soil itself will become a source of pollution.

Contaminated soil can affect the health of organisms through direct contact or via ingestion

or inhalation of soil contaminants which have been vaporized. Soil also acts as a reservoir

of residual pollution, releasing contaminants into groundwater or air over extended period

of time, often after the original source of pollution has been removed.

b. Impacts Hydrocarbons on Water

The impact of hydrocarbon on water is dependent on the specific chemical

composition and physical characteristics of the hydrocarbon involved and the degree of

concentration or dilution. Hydrocarbons can cause both physical and chemical effects in

water; even very small quantities of hydrocarbon can prevent oxygen transfer in the water

column, thus affecting aquatic life-support systems. The presence of mere traces of a

highly toxic hydrocarbon, such as benzene, may render water unfit for human

consumption.

c. Impacts of Hydrocarbons on Vegetation

Impacts of hydrocarbon on vegetation depend on a range of factors, from the type

and quantity of the chemical(s) involved, to the life-cycle development stage of the plants

concerned, and the means through which the plants came into contact with the

hydrocarbon. Different vegetation types also have varying sensitivity to hydrocarbons.

d. Impacts on Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife

Oil spills can affect wildlife, both aquatic and terrestrial, in many ways. The

severity of damage will depend on the type(s) of hydrocarbon involved, the quantity

spilled, the temperature at the time of the incident, and the season. Dissolved or emulsified

oil in the water column can contaminate plankton, algae, fish eggs and invertebrate larvae

(UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland 2011).

Physical contact with oil destroys the insulation properties of fur and feathers,

causing various effects in birds and fur-bearing mammals. Heavily oiled birds can also lose

their ability to fly, as well as their buoyancy, causing drowning. In efforts to clean

themselves, birds often ingest oil, which may have lethal or sub-lethal impacts through, for

example, liver and kidney damage.

e. Impacts on People

People might be exposed to petroleum-contaminated surface water or groundwater

when used for bathing, washing, cooking and drinking. People of all ages can also be

exposed to petroleum that evaporates into the air. Members of fishing communities risk

exposure to petroleum if they drink, bathe or collect shellfish in contaminated water, or if

they come into contact with or accidentally ingest contaminated sediment while engaged in

any of these activities (UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland 2011).

For instance, a research conducted by the faculty of Pharmacy University of Lagos,

found a chemical, benzo (a) pyrene, an alternate polynuclear hydrocarbon, in water

samples taken from 18 different sites in the Niger Delta. The chemical according to the

researchers, in a report published in the Nigeria Quarterly Journal of Medicine, vol 14,

July – December 2004, threatens the lives of the people through exposure to the skin,

lungs, breasts and abdominal cancer

Dermal exposure can lead to skin redness, oedema, dermatitis, rashes and blisters;

inhalation exposure can lead to red, watery and itchy eyes, coughing, throat irritation,

shortness of breath, headache and confusion; and ingestion of hydrocarbons can lead to

nausea and diarrhoea.

Some past Studies on Media Coverage of Environmental Issues in Nigeria

A study by B.A Chokor (1985) on three Nigerian newspapers: The Daily Time,

New Nigeria and Concord reported that environmental issues covered by these three

newspapers constituted 7%, 8% and 5% respectively while over 18% and 24% of the

published stories in Daily Times and The Concord was devoted to economic issues. This is

a clear indication that Nigeria media and media practitioners then pay little or no attention

to environmental issues and problems.

Also, K. S. Olugbemi (1992) in another content analysis on Newspaper coverage of

environmental issues and problems in Nigeria noted that the newspapers he studied gave

inadequate coverage to environmental issues and problems in Nigeria. Similarly, M .N.

Akpa (1995) content analyzed four national daily newspapers in the topic, Newspaper

coverage of urban waste and environmental sanitation in Nigeria and discovered

inadequate coverage of environmental issues in the country.

In the 1990s, Ikechukwu Nwosu (1997) studied two government newspapers (New

Nigerian and Daily Times) and two privately – owned Nigerian newspapers ( The

Champion and The Guardian) using content analysis. The study revealed among other

things, that the media in Nigeria did not only quantitatively undercover environmental

issues and problems, but gave low quality coverage of the little they published

Also, Nathaniel Anokwute (1999) studied the same newspapers analyzed by

Nwosu; New Nigerian, Daily Times, Champion and Guardian; and concluded that the

newspapers studied did not give adequate coverage and analysis of environmental

pollution, issues and problems.

In another research work, Ashong and Udoudo (2007) in a survey of media

coverage of environmental pollution as a factor in agricultural development in the Niger

Delta noted that Nigerians need more information on the environmental situation in the

Niger Delta. On the contrary, Onyilo (2011) in her assessment of press reports on

environmental issues in Nigeria studied 4 Nigerian newspapers; The Guardian, Punch,

Champion and New Nigerian and found out that the press carried favourable and indepth

reports on environment. However, the report was silent on the extent of coverage.

Furthermore, Ashong and Udoudo (2007) in their work, media coverage of

environmental pollution as a factor in agricultural development in the Niger Delta

interviewed 21 journalists on the barriers militating against effective communication on

environmental pollution in the Niger Delta and discovered that lack of editorial policy,

non- enforcement of environmental protection standards by the government, in

accessibility to information, poor terrain and transport problem, lack of media

commitment, and Government interference are the factors that hamper effective

communication on environmental pollution in the Niger Delta.

From the foregoing, there are clear indications that a lot of factors are responsible

for the poor coverage of environmental issues by the press in the country. These in no

small measure have affected the perception of ordinary citizens on what constitutes

environmental risk and how to achieve environmental sustainability.

Man has influenced his physical environment so much through his activities, most

of which are carried out in ignorance of their consequences. Hence, there is the need for

environmental information through enlightenment programmes in form of jingles, debate,

symposia and seminars to make man realize that those activities engaged by him to

produce livelihood and to improve his life must be done with utmost caution (Busari,

2005). This would ensure meeting the need of the present generation without

compromising that of the future generation.

Besides, public awareness on environmental issues will intimate man on the effects

of some industrial operations on his health and the physical environment, enlighten him on

various environmental laws and regulations that are available in our society and inspire a

greater sense of respect for the environment. Bearing in mind that problems of

environmental pollution are traced to man‟s activities that accumulate in bits and

consequently altering his environment negatively, environmental information and

awareness campaign will enlighten the people to understand the consequence of their

action to avert any further degradation of the environment (Akporido, 1997) and develop a

citizenry that is aware of and concerned with the total environment (Moemeka, 1983 in

Akporido, 2005). Also, this will bring about much reportage on environmental issues in the

Nigeria press.

According to Odufuwa, (2005) environmental education should be able to create

awareness about environmental problems, motivate people to devoid from extravagance,

conserve resources and protect environment; facilitate understanding and co-operation

among people toward sustainable environmental issues; conserve indigenous knowledge,

traditions and culture friendly to the environment. Such will inspire widespread public

participation on all fronts and enable all, from the grass roots, through the relevant

agencies to the leaders to understand the stakes, the urgent need for action and the

necessary steps that must be taken towards sustainable national environmental protection.

(Onyelucheya, 2003).

To this end, the researcher suggests environmental education as a panacea to dearth

of environmental issues in our national newspapers, lack of awareness on environmental

laws, ensure compliance to these laws and enshrine environmental friendly attitudes.

2.3 Theoretical Framework

This study is anchored on social responsibility theory. This theory which is an

extension of the libertarian theory of the press places emphasis on the moral and social

responsibility of persons and institutions which operate the mass media. Folarin in

Nkememenam (2009) explains further that social responsibility theory owes its origin to

Hutchins Commission on the freedom of the press set up in the United States of America

in 1947 to re-examine the concept of press freedom as enunciated in libertarian theory.

According to Folarin, socially responsible press should fulfill certain obligations to the

society such as:

A. Provide the people with information and discussion on important social issues and

the avoidance of the activities harmful to the public welfare and security of the

state.

B. That through professional standard of in formativeness, truth, accuracy, objectivity

and balance, these obligations can be met.

C. That the media should regulate itself within the frame work of the law and

established institutions to be able to carry out its responsibilities.

D. That based on the principle, the society has the right to expect high standard of

performance from the media.

E. That the media should reflect its society‟s plurality giving access to various points

of views and grant all the right to reply.

This study is anchored on this theory to ascertain how far The Guardian, Daily Sun,

Vanguard and Thisday newspapers have been able to fulfill these responsibilities of

being accountable to the society especially as it concerns environmental pollution in

the Niger Delta as an issue that needs the attention of all. Hence, it is expected of the

Nigerian press to report it regularly by providing numerous media contents through

accurate, fair and balanced reports.

REFERENCES

Adeyanju, J. A. (2004). Government and the oil pollution crisis in Nigeria. In

International Journal of Environmental Issues vol. 2 No. 1 & 2, pp

217 – 227, Ikot Ekpene, Development Universal Consortia.

Ajaero, Chris (2011, Sept. 12) Shell‟s guilty as charged. Newswatch p. 20

Akpa, M. N. (1995). Newspaper coverage of urban waste and environmental

sanitation in Nigeria: a content analysis of four national daily

newspapers, unpublished thesis, Enugu State University of Science

and Technology.

Akporido, C. E. (2005). Environmental information needs of rural dwellers in

oil production communities in Delta State, Nigeria. In International

Journal of Environmental Issues vol. 3. No. 2, pp 18 – 25,

Ikot Ekpene, Development Universal Consortia.

Anokwute, N .C. (1999). Newspaper coverage of environmental pollution in

Nigeria: A content analysis of 4 Nigerian Newspapers, M. Sc.

Research project, Public Relations programme, Department of

Marketing, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.

Ashong, C. A. and Udoudo, A .J. (2007). Media coverage of environmental

pollution as a factor in agricultural development in the Niger Delta in the

International Journal of Communication No.6 May 2007 pp 193 – 204

Busari, A.T. (2005). Public awareness on environmental issues: A Panacea for

sustainable environment development in International Journal of

Environmental Issues vol. 3 No. 1 2005, pp 34 – 41, Ikot Ekpene,

Development Universal Consortia.

Chokor, B. A. (1985). Reported in Nwosu and Uffoh (2005). Environmental Public

Relations Management, Enugu IDS UNEC

EKpo, S (2010). Environmental impacts of petroleum exploration and

exploitation in Nigeria. In International Journal of Environmental Issues vol. 7

No. 1 pp 162 – 175, Ikot Ekpene, Development Universal consortia.

Ikuomola, Vincent (2011, Aug. 5). N150b needed to clean up Ogoniland. The

Nation p.8

Nkememena, A.C. (2009). Press coverage of child trafficking in Nigeria: a

content analysis of Daily Sun and Vanguard newspapers. Unpublished

M.A Research project, Department of Mass Communication, University of

Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nwosu, I. E and Uffoh, V. O. (2005). Environmental Public Relations

management, Enugu, IDS University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.

Nwosu, I. E. (1997). Media images of environmental issues and problems in

Nigeria: implementations for Public Relations managers. A paper

presented at the NIPR conference Presidential Hotel. Port-Harcourt, 26 Nov.

Millar, G. T. (1998). Leaving in the Environment (10th

ed) Cincinnati, Wadsworth

publishing Co.

Obot, I. M, Essien, E.E and Ben, D.O. (2010). Implications of oil spillage on

environment for crop farming activities in Akwa Ibom State. In

International Journal of Environment Issues vol. 7.No. 1 June 2010,

pp 215 – 222, Ikot Ekpene, Development Universal Consortia.

Odufuwa, B. O (2005). Mitigating environmental tragedies in Nigeria. In

International Journal of Environmental Issues vol.3 No. 1, pp 227 –

239, Ikot Ekpene, Development Universal Consortia.

Onyelucheya, O. E (2003). Environmental Education: A priority for sustainable

environmental protection in Nigeria. In International Journal of

environmental Issues vol. 1 No. 1, June 2003, pp 144 – 147,


Onyilo, M. A. (2011) An assessment of press reports on environmental issues in

Nigeria in Ike S. Ndolo (ed) Contemporary Issues in

Communication and society, Enugu, Rhyce Kerex Publishers.

Uchegbu, Smart N. (1998). Environmental Management and Protection,

Enugu: Precision Printers and Publishers.

UNEP (2011). Environmental assessment of Ogniland. http: // post conflict.

unep. ch //publications/ OEA/UNEP - OEA. pdf retrieved

5/10/2011.

Usman, J. (2006). Development News Reporting, Ibadan Evans Brothers

Publishers ltd.

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3. 1 Research Design: : This study adopted the content analysis method in examining the

manifest content of four national dailies: The Guardian, Daily Sun, Vanguard and Thisday

newspapers with a view to finding out the coverage of environmental pollution in the

Niger Delta by the Nigerian press. This design is considered appropriate for this study

because of its reliability in analyzing relevant media content as well as giving accurate and

dependable result.

The selection of these four newspapers which was done purposively was based on

their high circulation and widely diffused market as well as their coverage of all major

interest groups in the country.

3.2 Population of Study: All the editions of the four newspapers within the period under

study constituted the population of study. To this end, a total of 1092 editions constituted

the population of study. Out of this population, a total number of 360 editions were

selected using the systematic random sampling for the actual study.

3.3 Sample Size: out of the 1092 editions, a sample of 360 editions was selected using the

systematic random sampling where editions were picked at 3rd

intervals using 4 as the

random starting point. Each of the 4 newspapers: The Guardian, Daily Sun, Vanguard and

Thisday were assigned 90 editions each within the period under study (September 2010 -

May 2011).

3.4 Sample Technique: While purposive sampling was used in selecting the four

newspapers content analyzed in this study, systematic random sampling was used in

selecting the issues or editions studied. The technique employed here picked editions at 3rd

intervals using 4 as my random starting point. Each of the newspapers has 273 editions

within the period under study which brings the total editions to 1092. Out of 1092 editions,

90 editions each from the 4 newspapers were drawn out within the nine months study

period. Thus, a total of 360 editions representing 32.96% of the total editions (1092

editions) were analyzed.

,

3.5 Unit of Analysis: The manifest contents analyzed are news stories, features, opinion

articles, editorials and letters – to- the- editor. This manifest content refers to the directly

visible, objectively identifiable characteristics of a given communication (Okoro 2001).

Content Categories: The following content categories were considered in the study during

coding:

(a) Nature of story: It considers whether the news published by these newspapers

within the period under study was categorized as news, features, editorial, pictures

and cartoons.

(b) Frequency of coverage: This has to do with the number of times the newspapers

under study covered stories or issues concerning environmental pollution in the

Niger Delta.

(c) Placement: This is the placement of the story in the newspapers under study

whether the story is placed in front page, inside page or back page. Placement of

story determines their visibility and therefore determines whether they are read by

the publics or not.

3.6 Measuring Instrument: Code-sheet was the main instrument of measurement used in

the study. Coding sheet helps in assigning numbers to the content categories used in the

study. Coding has the advantage of converting data generated into easily understandable

numerical values, with value or number or symbol representing specific attributes of given

variables and indications

3.7 Validity/ Reliability: Using face validity, the content categories analyzed as contained

in the code-sheet are relevant in relation to what is being studied and in line with the

questions being investigated. Hence, the instrument is logically valid and reliable.

3.8 Method of Data Analysis: Data generated in course of this research was presented in

frequency distribution tables with raw figures and simple percentage analysis. The research

used descriptive techniques which are based on qualitative and quantitative analyses,

taking into account the numerical values or the frequencies with which the various

delineated items of the content analysis occurred.

3.9 Limitations of Methodology: This study used purposive and systematic sampling

techniques. The major limitation of purposive sampling which was used in selecting the

three national dailies content analyzed is that the sample may not be representative of the

population. On the other hand, systematic random sampling used in selecting the editions

of newspapers content analyzed do not give all the editions equal opportunity of being

selected.

REFERENCE

Ewurum, U.J.F (2003) Analytical techniques in business unpublished lecture

material, Department of Management, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.




Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nwodu, L. C. (2004). Research in communication and other behavioral

science: principle, methods and issues. Enugu: Ryhce Kerex Publishers

Ohaja E.U. (2003). Mass communication research and project writing. Lagos,

John tetterman.

Okoro, N (2001) Mass communication research, issues and methodologies.

Nsukka: AP Express Publishers

Wimmer, R.and Dominick, J. (2003). Mass media research; an introduction

(7th

ed), Singapore; Thomson and Wadsworth.

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Description of the Sample

A total of 90 editions of each of the four newspapers studied; Guardian,

Vanguard, Daily Sun and Thisday making a grand total of 360 editions formed the sample

size of the study. Out of these 360 editions 334 or 92.7% of the editions were coded while

26 or 7.2% of the editions were missing. These missing editions could not be found in the

Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, UNN and Enugu State Library, Enugu which were used in the

course of this study.

Out of the 26 or 7.2% of the missing editions, Guardian had 1 edition missing;

Vanguard had 2 or 8% of the editions missing, Daily Sun had 3 or 12% editions missing

while Thisday had 20 or 76% of the editions missing. Also, out of the 334 editions coded

only 18 or 5% of the editions had stories on environmental pollution in the Niger Delta.

Out of which Guardian had 2 or 11% of its editions with stories, Vanguard had 8 or 44%,

Daily Sun had 3 or 17% editions with stories while Thisday had 5 or 28% editions with

stories.

As regards the 316 or 87.8% of the editions without stories on environmental

pollution in the Niger Delta, Guardian had 87 or 28.7% of editions without stories;

Vanguard had 80 or 25%, Daily Sun had 84 or 27% of editions without stories while

Thisday had 65 or 20% of editions without stories on environmental pollution in the Niger

Delta.

Above is an indication that Guardian had the lowest number of missing editions,

editions with stories on the subject matter and the highest number of editions without

stories on the subject matter as well, Thisday had the highest number of missing editions

while Vanguard had the highest number of editions with stories on environmental

pollution in the Niger Delta. See the table below.

Table 4: Sample distribution of news papers studied

Variables Newspapers Total

Guardian

Vanguard

Daily Sun

Thisday

Missing editions 1(4%)

2 (8%)

3(12%)

20 (76%)

26 (7.2%)

Editions with stories on

environmental pollution in

the Niger Delta

2 (11%)

8 (44%)

3(17%)

5 (28%)

18 (5%)

Editions without stories on

environmental pollution in

the Niger Delta

87 (28%)

80 (25%)

84 (27%)

65 (20%)

316 (87.8%)

Total number of editions 90 90 90 90 360

Source: Content analysis 2012

4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis

Data generated in the course of this research was presented in frequency

distribution tables with raw figures and simple percentage analysis. The research used

descriptive techniques which are based on qualitative and quantitative analyses, taking into

account the numerical values or the frequencies with which the various delineated items of

the content analysis occurred.

Research Question 1: Does Nigerian Press cover environmental pollution in the Niger

Delta.

Table 5: Coverage of environmental pollution by the Nigerian press.

Newspaper Editions with stories on environmental

pollution in the Niger Delta

Guardian 2 (11%)

Vanguard 8 (44%)

Daily Sun 3 (17%)

Thisday 5 (28%)

Total 18 (100%)


From the table above, it could be seen that Nigerian press cover environmental

pollution issues in the Niger Delta. A total of 18 editions of the newspapers studied carried

stories on the subject matter out of which Guardian had 2 or 11%, Vanguard had 8 or 44%

as the highest editions with stories on the subject matter, Daily Sun had 3 or 17% while

Thisday had 5 or 28%. This indicates that Nigerian press covers environmental pollution

in the Niger Delta.

Research Question 2: What is the extent of coverage given to environmental pollution

in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian Press?

On the question of extent of coverage given to environmental pollution in the Niger

Delta, the 334 editions of the 4 national newspapers studied carried only 25 stories on the

issue under study. Out of these 25 stories, Guardian reported 3 or 12%, Vanguard had 12

or 48%, Daily Sun carried 5 or 20% stories on the issue under study and Thisday had 20%

stories on environmental pollution in the Niger Delta. This distribution pattern is presented

on a table below.

Table 6: Extent of coverage given to environmental pollution in the Niger Delta by

the Nigerian Press.

Newspaper Frequency Percentages

Guardian 3 12

Vanguard 12 48

Daily Sun 5 20

Thisday 5 20

Total 25 100


This exploratory study came up with quite some interesting revelations on the

quantity of coverage given to environmental pollutions in the Niger Delta. Firstly, it

discovered that in spite of the growing rate of global concern for the environment, Nigerian

newspapers are yet to give adequate coverage to environmental pollution in the Niger

Delta region. Secondly, it reveals that media treat the issue of environmental pollution with

levity.

Research Question 3: What is the nature of news coverage given to environmental

pollution the Niger Delta by the Nigerian Press?

Table 7: Nature of Story.

Interpretation variable

Newspaper

Total Guardian Vanguard Daily Sun Thisday

Straight News 3 (21%) 5 (36%) 3 (21%) 3(21%) 14(56%)

Editorial - - - - -

Feature stories 3 (50%) 2(33%) 1 (17%) 6(24%)

Letters to the editor - - - 1 1(4%)

Cartoon - - - -

Supplements 4 4(16%)

Total 25(100%)


On question of the nature of stories published by the newspapers studied, it was

found out that the stories were mostly straight news stories or “dead-pan” reports. For

example, 14 or 56% of the stories were straight news stories, 6 or 24% of the stories were

feature stories while 4 or 16% were supplements while a story was a letter to the editor on

the subject matter. From the above table also, it could be seen that vanguard news tops the

list in terms of straight news reports, features and supplement on the subject matter.

Also, the table indicates that Daily Sun had 3 or 21% and 2 or 33% as straight news

and features respectively, Guardian 3 or 21% as its straight news and had no feature or

supplement on the subject matter while Thisday had 3 or 21% as straight news and 1 or

17% as feature. Above is an indication of low interpretation given to environmental

pollution in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian Press.

On the question of placement of stories on the pages of the newspapers studied, the

study showed that all environmental pollution stories in the Niger Delta as covered by the

4 newspapers studied were placed on their inside pages. Guardian recorded 3 or 12% of

the 20 environmental pollution stories in the Niger Delta, Vanguard had 12 or 48% of the

stories on the subject matter on the inside pages, Daily Sun and Thisday had 5 or 20% all

on their stories on the inside pages respectively. None of these stories made the front or the

back pages of the newspapers studied

Above indicates poor placement of stories on the environmental pollution in the

Niger Delta as none of them were strategically placed on the front or the back pages of the

newspapers studied. Story placement shows the importance attached to stories and

determine their visibility vis-à-vis their readability. See the table below

Table 8: Placement of stories on environmental pollution in the Niger Delta on the

pages of the 4 newspapers.

Placement Category

Newspaper

Total Guardian Vanguard Daily Sun Thisday

Front page - -

-

- -

Inside page 3 (12%) 12 (48%) 5 (20%) 5 (20%) 25 (100%)

Back Page - - - -


Research Question 4: What are the types of environmental pollution prevalent in the

Niger Delta?

On the question of types of environmental pollution prevalent in the Niger Delta as

covered by the Newspapers studied: Guardian, Vanguard, Daily Sun and Thisday

published stories mostly on oil spillage. For instance out of 25 stories on the subject matter

24 or 96% of the stories were on oil spillage while only 1 of 4% of the stories published

was on gas flaring. There was not even a single story on improper waste disposal and

artisanal refining. Also other forms of environmental pollution such as noise pollution had

no place in the newspapers. This is an indication that the root cause of environmental

pollution in the Niger Delta is oil spillage whether as a result of well blow out, rupture or

sabotage. See the table below

Table 9: Types of environmental pollution prevalent in the Niger Delta as reported by

the Nigerian Press.

Variables

Newspaper

Thisday

Total Guardian Vanguard Daily Sun

Oil spillage 3 (12%) 11 (46%) 5 (21%) 5 (21%) 24(96%)

Improper waste

disposal

-

-

-

-

-

Gas flaring - 1 - 1 (4%)

Artisanal refining - - - - -

Noise - - - - -

Total - 25(100%)


4.3 Discussion on Findings: This exploratory study on press coverage of environmental

pollution in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria; a content analysis of Guardian, Vanguard,

Daily Sun and Thisday newspapers revealed among other things that the press in Nigeria

reports environmental pollution in the Niger Delta as shown in the table 5. Though, not

much coverage is given to the subject matter.

On the issue of frequency of reportage given on environmental pollution in the

Niger Delta, it was discovered that in spite of the growing rate of global concern for the

environment, Nigerian press are yet to give adequate coverage to environmental pollution

in the Niger Delta region. Again, the study revealed a wide margin among the 4 newspaper

studied in their reportage on the subject matter. While Vanguard recorded 12 or 48%

stories in 9 months, it will take Guardian 36 months, Daily Sun and Thisday and 27

months each to achieve Vanguard’s height going by their present rate of reportage on

environmental pollution in the Niger Delta. This is an indication that some media

organizations treat the issue of environmental pollution with levity.

The study also revealed low interpretation given to the subject matter by the 4

newspapers studied as indicated by table 6. Among the 4 newspapers studied: Guardian,

Vanguard and Daily Sun, had no editorial on the subject matter during the study period.

While Vanguard through its feature stories and supplements gave more interpretation on

the subject matter, Guardian had no editorial, feature or supplements on the subject matter.

Thisday had 1 editorial and 1 letter to the editor. Therefore, more interpretation should be

given to environmental pollution in the Niger Delta since such would aid better

understanding and appreciation of the situation on ground. This is because interpreted

stories have subtle persuasive content which would help change negative attitudes of

Nigerians and corporate bodies towards the environment.

Furthermore, the study revealed poor placement of stories on the environment

pollution in the Niger Delta as none of the stories was strategically placed on the front or

back pages of the newspapers studied. Since placement of stories determine their visibility

and therefore determine whether they are read by readers or not, the press should consider

playing up stories on the subject matter through strategic placement bearing in mined that

placement given to stories by the media shows the importance attached to these stories.

Hence, the press in Nigeria should attach more importance to issues on environmental

pollution in the Niger Delta.

Finally, on the aspect of environmental pollution covered by the newspapers

studied it showed that oil spillage is the root cause of the environmental pollution in the

Niger Delta region. There was no story on artisanal refining, improper waste disposal and

noise pollution while gas flaring got only 1 story from the editions studied. From the study,

it could be deduced that noise has not been seen or recognized as a form of environmental

pollution in this part of the country even when its implications are enormous.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary

Niger Delta region in Nigeria is a region known for oil exploration and related

activities. It is a region faced with environmental pollution; one of the threatening

environmental problems in Nigeria. Prevalent in this area is oil pollution resulting from oil

spills which have caused devastation effects on communities around the area of spill,

destroyed aquatic lives, vegetations and farm lands.

This exploratory study which looked at press coverage of environmental pollution

in the Niger Delta: a content analysis of 4 national newspapers; The Guardian, Vanguard,

Daily Sun and Thisday revealed that Nigerian press covers environmental pollution in the

Niger Delta, though the subject matter did not receive much coverage. Also, the study

indicated that interpretations given on environmental pollution in the Niger Delta is low

expect for Vanguard newspaper that provided little interpretation through its Tuesday

edition supplements.

Furthermore, it was discovered that all the stories on environmental pollution the

Niger Delta were hidden in the inside pages of the 4 newspapers studied. Not even a single

story made the front or the back pages of the newspapers studied. It was also discovered

that Vanguard newspaper had the highest number of publication on the subject matter

within the 9 months study period while Guardian newspaper had the lowest number of

stories on the subject matter.

Finally, the study revealed that root cause of environmental pollution in the Niger

Delta is oil spillage even as the researcher tends to believe that environmental education

will add impetus to the struggle for having a healthy environment as well as sustainable

environment.

5.2 Conclusion

Niger Delta region is an endangered area; threatened by environmental pollution

caused by oil exploration and related activities whose remediation cost run into billions of

naira and would run for over 30 years. Therefore, further pollution should be vehemently

fought and resisted in order not to reap today and compromise the needs of the future

generations. Since nature sustains its inhabitants and the fate of nature depends in human

hands, there is the need for environmental education to entrench environmental friendly

attitudes, better understanding of existing regulations on the environment as well as

making of better regulations capable of ensuring a healthy environment that meet human

needs and support healthy living.

5.3 Recommendations

No doubt, a research involves an investigation geared towards increasing

knowledge and providing ideas to solve problems. Hence, the researcher puts forward the

following recommendations as measures for combating poor reportage on environmental

pollution as well as environmental pollution itself in the Niger Delta.

1. Media organizations in the country should assign special beat reporters covering

environmental issues in the country especially in the endangered Niger Delta

region. Since issues are seen as important based on media attachments to such

issues, emphasis should be placed on environmental pollution in the Niger Delta

through frequency of reportage, placements and interpretations.

2. Environmental education should be enshrined in the school curriculum from

primary to tertiary institutions to inculcate in the masses environmental friendly

attitudes. Such environmental education should equally be carried out through the

traditional media so as to carry along both the literate and illiterate ones in the

quest for a healthy environment.

3. Oil industries operating in the region should ensure regular maintenance of their

equipment to avoid equipment failure and ruptures capable of spewing thousands

of barrels of oil unto the land and under ground waters. In case of oil spill,

immediate clean up of the environment should be carried out while processes of

remediation should commence without delay.

4. Inhabitants of the region should avoid illegal activities such as bunkering and

artisanal refining which are major causes of environmental pollution in the area.

Also, they should avoid sabotaging oil facilities in the area bearing in mind that in

case of oil spill it is them that suffers the consequences. Dialogue with oil

industries operating in the area should be their watchword in case of threatening

situations.

5. Government should ensure strict compliance to existing environmental laws and

regulations by operators in the oil industry. Also, regulatory agencies such as

Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Oil Spill Detection and

Response Agency (NOSDRA), Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA)

should be alive to their responsibilities.

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APPENDIX 1

EDITIONS SAMPLED SYSTEMATICALLY AT 3RD

INTERVALS USING 4 AS

MY RANDOM STARTING POINT

DAYS SEPT

2010

OCT

2010

NON

2010

DEC

2010

JAN

2011

FEB

2011

MARCH

2011

APRIL

2011

MAY

2011

1 10 51

2 41 71 81

3 21 31 61

4 1 11 52

5 42 72 82

6 22 32 62

7 2 12 53

8 43 73 83

9 23 33 63

10 3 13 54

11 44 74 84

12 24 34 64

13 4 14 55

14 45 75 85

15 25 35 65

16 5 15 56

17 46 76 86

18 26 36 66

19 6 16 57

20 47 77 87

21 27 37 67

22 7 17 58

23 48 78 88

24 28 38 68

25 8 18 59

26 49 79 89

27 29 39 69

28 9 19 60

29 50 80 90

30 30 40 70

31 20

APPENDIX 2

CODING GUIDE FOR ANALYSIS OF THE GUARDIAN, VANGUARD AND DAILY

SUN NEWSPAPERS COVERAGE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN THE

NIGER DELTA.

UNIT OF ANALYSIS CONTENT CATEGORIES CODE NUMBER

Newspaper Guardian 1

Vanguard 2

Daily Sun 3

Thisday 4

Nature of story Straight news 5

Editorial 6

Feature 7

Letters to the editor 8

Cartoons 9

Supplements 10

Frequency Once 11

Twice 12

Thrice 13

Placement Front page 14

Inside page 15

Back page 16

Aspects of environmental

pollution covered

Oil spillage 17

Improper waste disposal 18

Gas flaring 19

Artisanal refining 20

Noise 21

APPENDIX 3

CODING SHEET FOR THE ANALYSIS OF PRESS COVERAGE OF

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN THE NIGER DELTA.

Date Newspaper Nature Placement Frequency

7/9/2010

16/9/2010

2 7,10 15 13

1 5 15 11

4/10/2010

7/10/2010

3 5 15 11

3 7,7,5 15 13

22/10/2010 3 5 15 11

3/12/2010

4 8 15 11

6/12/2010 1 5 15 11

21/12/2010

5/1/2011

2 5 15 11

2 5 15 11

4 5 15 11

20/1/2011 2 5 15 11

1/2/2011

2 10 15 11

4 5 15 11

4/2/2011

10/2/2011

2 5 15 12

2 5 15 11

22/2/2011

2 7,5 15 12

24/3/2011 4 5 15 12

30/3/2011 1 5 15 11

26/4/2011 4 7 15 11

APPENDIX 4

NEWS ARTICLES IN THE SAMPLE

The following list of news stories, features and editorials were analyzed for the

study. Articles are presented chronologically by date and month of publication.

DATE HEADLINES PAGE NEWAPAPER

7/9/2010 UN pollution report to clear Shell 10 Vanguard

Menace of oil Spill in Niger Delta 18 Vanguard

Dissatisfied ex-militants bomb 2 Agip oil

wells in Delta

70 Vanguard

16/9/2010 Govt tackles oil pollution in Niger Delta with

N20b

15,16 Guardian

4/10/2010 Spill-impacted communities demand N10b

from Shell

10 Daily Sun

7/10/2010 What Shell must do to stop oil spillage in

Bonny

36, 38 Daily Sun

If we react now they will say we are militants 37 Daily Sun

This crude is like dark blood stains 37 Daily Sun

22/10/2010 Community threatens to shut down Shell

petroleum

11 Daily Sun

3/12/2010 Ijaws not the only one in Niger Delta 19 Thisday

6/12/2010 Field work in Ogoniland still ongoing, says

UNEP

45 Guardian

21/12/2010 Odey tasks oil companies on use of 37 Vanguard

dispersants to combat spillage

5/1/2011 Dutch parliament probes Shell activities in

Nigeria

6 Vanguard

Shell faces Dutch parliament over Nigeria

operations

3 Thisday

20/1/2011 Ijaw community protests SPDC`s alleged

neglect

10 Vanguard

1/2/2011 Dutch parliament‟s invitation spotlight Shell

activities---Alleged breaches of the

environmental questions standards

6, 7 Vanguard

Shell: compensation for pollution `ll

encourage attacks

29 Thisday

4/2/2011 Oil spill ravages Bayelsa community 9 Vanguard

FG `ll soon rehabilitate oil impacted sites in

Ogoniland

10 Vanguard

10/2/2011 Oil spill agency drags NNPC to court 10 Vanguard

22/2/2011 Intrigues threaten oil spill management 6 Vanguard

Uduaghan promises end to gas flaring 6 Vanguard

24/3/2011 Youth protest oil spill compensation 8 Thisday

30/3/2011 Edo farmers stage protest over spillage 24 Vanguard

26/4/2011 Oil spill and environmental issues 36 Thisday

Documents

PRESS COVERAGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN THE … Godwin.pdf · Table 1 Oil spill and the volume in barrels between 1976 and 1983 Table 2 Oil spill incidences in 2001. Table 3