Title: Media Coverage Of Small And Medium Enterprises Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic In Nigeria: A Content Analysis Of Nigerian Newspapers
Authors: Olagoke Olawale Israel
Volume: 9
Issue: 4
Pages: 381-385
Publication Date: 2025/04/28
Abstract:
This study is on the media coverage of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) during the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The adopted a qualitative research making use of Two (2) newspapers namely Vanguard and Thisday, published within the period of four months (January-April, 2021). The objectives of the study were to analyze the frequency of SME-related news in Nigerian newspapers during the COVID-19 pandemic, identify the thematic focus of Nigerian newspapers in reporting the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs and examine the media reportage on the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs. Through composite week sampling method, a sample size of 17 editions were selected for each of the newspapers to make a total edition of 34 of both Thisday and Vanguard newspapers out of 240 editions of the both newspapers from January to April, 2021 which make the population for the study. The findings showed that the major themes in the media report include lockdowns, social distance, online business and employee layoffs. Findings also showed that media reported that COVID-19 contributed to low business sales, with the majority of SMEs reporting a drop in their source of revenue. The study recommended the need for media to improve in the reportage especially covering the various advancement of SMEs and how they thrive especially during pandemic periods.