Sexuality in Media: Emerging Issues in Africa - Africa Regional ...

Sexuality in the Media: Emerging Issues in Africa
Prostitution also received media coverage. The Guardian reported on this issue
five times during the period showing its concern with the moral conditions of
the society. It was revealed that there is a booming sex business in Lagos (Sun,
8.5.04: p24; Guardian 8.5.04: p24; Punch, 19.5.04: p12). The Bar Beach at
Victoria Island was identified as one of the hottest “Sex Spots”. There were
reports of women trafficking for prostitution purposes (Guardian, 3.1.04: p11;
19.4.04: p65).
According to The Punch (24.2.04: 7) some mothers introduce their daughters
into the business of prostitution. Another report mentioned ‘Benin Girls’ as
numerous in the trade and opined that the lack of avenues for employment
encourages the girls into the “Body trade option” (Guardian, 20.6.2004: 27).
There were reports about prostitution in the banking industry in which young
girls are encouraged to use their bodies to lure customers who would make huge
deposits (Vanguard, 19.4.05: View Point; Comet, 6.3.4: p12).
The reports see prostitution as a vice which must be curbed. Prostitution has
been connected to the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs and with the
increase in unwanted and abandoned babies.
No policy outcome was achieved. However in Kaduna State 25 women were
arrested for prostitution (Guardian, 10.2.04.p20).
Love And Romance
Table 15: Frequency of Newspaper Reports on Love and Romance
Themes
Reported
The Sun The Vanguard The Guardian The Punch The Comet
No. Of
Times
%
No. Of
Times
%
Newspapers
No. Of
Times
No. Of
No. Of
% %
%
Times
Times
Love and Romance 16 14% 10 12% 5 7% 4 7% 2 4%
Issues concerning love and romance were recurrent in newspapers during the
period of research. The Sun had 14% of news items on S/SH/SR focused on love
and romance, The Vanguard 12%, The Guardian and The Punch 7%
respectively. Various issues were covered. These included, how to approach a
woman, questions about dating, how to express love, falling in love and stories
of love and sexual affairs (Guardian, 14.2.04: pB 15; Sun 17.1.04: p5; 9.3.04:
Foreign Tabloids; 11.4.04: 25) and how to enhance romance and sex sometimes
through food (5.5.04: Features). Through letters some people sought
information about love and expression of love showing the inadequacies people
feel in these matters. One report was about love and romance even in old age
(Guardian, 7.2.04: pB9). An article offered suggestions on “Ten Terrific Ways to
be Romantic” (Guardian, 14.2.04: pp16-17).
Sexual Scandals
Table 16: Frequency of Newspaper Reports on Sexual Scandals
Themes
Reported
The Sun The Vanguard The Guardian The Punch The Comet
No. Of
Times
Sex Scandals 6 5%
%
No. Of
Times
%
Newspapers
No. Of
Times
No. Of
No. Of
% %
%
Times
Times
- - - - - - - -
Sexual scandals occur, when people in authority and celebrities engaged in what
the society regards as sexual misdemeanour not expected of such people. Only
The Sun reported issues of sexual scandals in schools and institutions or about
sexual activities of celebrities (Sun 7.5.04: p1; 16.5.2004: p19; 9.6.04: pp44-
45). Most times they were reported for their entertainment value.
Sexual Harassment
Table 17: Frequency of Newspaper Reports on Sexual Harassment
Themes
Reported
The Sun The Vanguard The Guardian The Punch The Comet
No. Of
Times
%
Print Media Coverage Of Sexuality Issues in Nigeria
No. Of
Times
%
Newspapers
No. Of
Times
No. Of
No. Of
% %
%
Times
Times
Sexual Harassment 6 5% 2 2% - - 3 5% 5 10%
Sexual harassment was a theme of discussion on S/SH/SR in The Sun 5%, in The
Comet 10% in The Punch 5% and in The Vanguard 2%. In different articles the
problem of sexual harassment in the Nigerian society was tackled (Punch,
1.5.04: pp8-9; Comet 14.4.04: p33; Vanguard 13.4 p04; 20.4.04: Fashion
Roundtable). The causes and effects of sexual harassment were discussed.
Attempts were made to discover what exactly constitutes sexual harassment.