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

Sexuality in the Media: Emerging Issues in Africa
Relationship Disappointments
Table 23:Frequency of Newspaper Reports on Disappointing Relationship
Themes
Reported
Relationships
Disappointments
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
8 7% 1 1% - - 7 13% 3 6%
Disappointments in relationships was a recurrent theme. In The Sun 7% and in
The Punch 13% of publications on S/SH/SR were in connection with
disappointments. These centered on the scenario whereby one partner was
jilted by the other. Sometimes this happened after years of relationship and
reciprocal investments in one another. Disappointments came, most times, with
consequences. These included: suicide, murder, stabbing, acid bath, driving a
rod through the vagina, and fights with the rival (Vanguard, 3.1.04: Midweek
Features; 22.1.04: 13; Sun, 23.3.04: 1&4).
Sexuality And Dependency
Table 24: Frequency of Newspaper Reports on Sexuality and Dependency
Themes
Reported
Sexuality and
Dependency
The Sun The Vanguard The Guardian The Punch The Comet
No. Of
Times
- -
%
No. Of
Times
%
2 2%
Newspapers
No. Of
Times
%
No. Of
Times
%
No. Of
Times
%
- -
3 5% 1 2%
Dependency on grounds of sexuality received some attention. This involved
cases where men paid for the education of their female partners in exchange for
sexual gratification and perhaps eventual marriage (Punch, 4.4.04: p36). It also
involved the new culture whereby female students in tertiary institutions date
rich men and exchange sex for material comforts (Punch, 19.6.04:p 6). The rich
men concerned include politicians, legislators, senators, military officers,
directors of companies, traders and all those able to afford the relationships.
There were reports of young men in love affairs with older women for material
gain (Vanguard, 14.1.04: Midweek Features; 20.6.04: p33).
Tips For Successful Relationships
Table 25: Frequency of Newspaper Reports Providing Tips on Successful Relationships
Themes
Reported
Tips for successful
relationships
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
3 3% 3 4% - - 3 5% 1 1%
Earlier, it was shown that disappointments in relationships ended in misery and
fatalities. It was also shown that relationships are regarded as very important in
the socio-economic and cultural milieu of Nigeria. Therefore, some newspapers
published articles and personal experiences to contribute to the strengthening of
relationships. In The Sun 3%, The Vanguard 4% and The Punch 3% of
publications on S/SH/SR were devoted to this issue. Tips were provided on good
sex, fidelity, not telling lies to one another, maintenance of sexy looks, good
communication, amongst others (Vanguard, 22.2.04: p24; 8.5.04: p27; 6.6.04:
p24; Sun, 25.1.04: p31).
Casual Sex And Sexual Irresponsibility
Table 26: Frequency of Newspaper Reports on Casual Sex and Irresponsible sexual Behaviour
Themes
Reported
Casual sex and sexual
irresponsibility
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
2 2% 4 5% 5 7% 5 9% 1 2%
Newspaper reports also exposed the prevalence of casual sex and irresponsible
sexual behaviour in the Nigerian society. The stories showed that people engage
in sex without thought to the consequences or employing safe-sex methods. It
was held that casual sex and irresponsible sexual behaviours were important
factors in the spread of the HIV/AIDS as safe sex is often forgotten. It was noted
that responsible sexual behaviours were the only antidote to the spread of
HIV/AIDS (Guardian, 25.4.04: p32; 2.5.04: p32).