Media Narratives on Power Relations in Nigeria: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Three National Newspaper Columnists

ABSTRACT: This research examined how Nigerian newspaper columnists narrate the power relations within the country and how they reiterate and rearticulate historical and political events in their analysis of the balance of power with regard to the upcoming presidential election in March 2015. By analyzing the writings of three columnists from three different newspapers, the study examined how ownership and the geographic environment in which a newspaper is published influence the narratives employed by columnists in their bid to set agenda and mold public opinion. While doing so, triangulation of Teun Van Dijk‟s socio-cognitive approach to Critical Discourse Analysis and Norman Fairclough‟s textual, contextual and social analyses in the treatment of the subject were used. Hence, the texts of the columns were analyzed within the socio-political contexts to understand their implications for the social behavior of the readers as potential voters. Three newspapers were used to cater for the north/south political dichotomy and to give a representation to each region. The study, however, views the dichotomy differently, projecting it as a division between those who support the status quo and those who oppose it. The three newspapers used in the study were Vanguard (representing the pro status quo), Daily Trust (representing the anti-status quo), and Nigerian Tribune (providing a middle ground between the two camp). Conclusions of the study suggest that the political and economic elites use their ownership and control of the newspapers to influence the narratives of their columnists. The columnists in turn use volatile concepts like religion, and ethnicity in their narratives to divide the public and move them towards taking political decisions that favor the political elites. Keywords: Critical Discourse Analysis, Political Communication, Boko Haram, Ethno-religious crisis, Democracy, 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………