CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF MEDIA REPORTAGE OF BOKO HARAM ACTIVITIES IN THE NATION NEWSPAPER

Abstract

The Boko Haram insurgency has dominated national discourse and has
been a major source of headlines for national newspapers over the years.
This study was undertaken to make a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA)
of the news reportage of the Boko Haram insurgency in The Nation
newspaper. The problem identified in the study is the language used by
the media on the activities of Boko Haram and the implications for
society. Norman Fairclough’s theory was adopted as the framework for
the study. The research design for the study was the Critical Discourse
Analysis design. The Nation newspaper was selected for the analysis.
Five news reports were extracted for analysis. The three tools of analysis
were lexicalization and predication, presupposition and intertextuality.
The analysis of the newspaper’s report showed that Boko Haram is
being treated as callous, evil and dreaded while the Federal Government
and its troops as accommodating and being a more peace-loving and
responsible side. In conclusion, the use of language by the media has
created immense awareness about the activities of Boko Haram.