Analysis of Newspaper Coverage of World Food Safety Day: A Study of Selected Newspapers in Nigeria

Abstract

The maxim that our food is our drug holds sway in recognition of the critical role which safe foods play in the health state of the people. In the event of development and spread of foodborne illnesses and its implication to human lives and economies of states, the UN in collaboration with FAO and other agencies in December 2018 marked June 7^th for commemoration of world food safety day. The aim of this day is to create awareness on the need to keep human food safe from processing to consumption. Six years after the establishment of this day, little is known about the effort of the print media in making the day popular among the masses. Against this background, this study examined newspaper coverage of the world food safety day with focus on Vanguard, Daily Trust and This-Day newspapers. The six months study finds expression in the agenda setting and social responsibility theories of mass communication with quantitative content analysis as the method of study. A sample of 72 editions of the three newspapers were selected from the six months using composite week sampling technique. Data on the units and contents categories were obtained using the codding system. Findings revealed that although the world food safety day was given prominent coverage in terms of placement, it is inadequately covered in the media. It was recommended that media should intensify effort to create robust awareness of the world food safety day to ensure healthy future for individuals and communities