An Evaluative Analysis of Editorial Cartoon Use in 2015 Presidential Election: A Study of Selected Nigerian Dailies
Chinenye Nwabueze, Ph.D
Department of Mass Communication
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
Igbariam Campus
Olileanya Orakwelu
Department of Mass Communication
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
Igbariam Campus
Abstract
This is a content analysis of selected Nigerian dailies to examine how editorial cartoons were used to express views during the 2015 presidential election in the country. The study objectives were to find out the frequency of cartoons on 2015 Presidential elections in the national dailies, to find out the direction of cartoons on 2015 Presidential election in the National dailies, and to ascertain whether there is a relationship between the ethnic background of cartoonist and slant of cartoon. The study established that Nigerian newspapers although they do have editorial cartoons in all editions, not much were focused or used in the 2015 presidential election process in Nigeria. It was also found that General Mohammed Buhari was the candidate that had more editorial cartoons favouring him, unlike President Goodluck Jonathan and other presidential candidates. It was further established that ethnic bias played no role in the choice of messages embedded in the cartoons. The study recommended among others, that editorial cartoons should not favour specific candidates in order to be objective and neutral.
Key words: Cartoons, Editorial cartoons, presidential elections, cartoonists
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