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

Sexuality in the Media: Emerging Issues in Africa
The majority of articles were news items chosen for their sensational value.
They were also sensationally reported. Sexual misdemeanor and the escapades
of well placed people were gleefully reported in simple to read language. Where
topical issues, such as family planning, were discussed, there did not seem to be
any lack of knowledge by the journalists.
Content Analysis of Magazine publications on S/SH/SR
HIV/AIDS
Figure 34: Frequency of reports on HIV/AIDS
Themes Reported
No. Of Times
Magazine
Celebrity Excellence
No. Of Times
% %
HIV/AIDS 1 3% - -
This theme did not find favour with these magazines. For the three months
under review it was reported only once by Celebrity (18-24.5.2004: 15). This
was reported in a sensational fashion with a headline that read: “AIDS Scare in a
South-West University”. It was a story of two university lecturers who
allegedly tested positive to HIV due to their habits of having chains of
girlfriends. Though sensational, a relationship between the spread of
HIV/AIDS and indiscriminate sexual affairs was clearly brought out.
Sexual Violence
Table 35: Frequency of Report on sexual violence in the two magazines
Themes Reported
No. Of Times
Magazine
Celebrity Excellence
No. Of Times
% %
Sexual Violence 2 5% 2 8%
Sexual violence in the form of rape was reported in which an Abuja “big babe”,
Dolly, was allegedly gang-raped in an operation organized by a boyfriend.
Women rapists were also reported who raped men to collect sperm for ritual
purposes (Excellence 1-7.6.04: 9). Also, rape involving an expatriate in an oil
company was reported.
Marriage
Issues concerning marriage were reported. stories mostly concerned the
desperate moves made by young ladies to get married so as to be seen as
“respectable”. (Celebrity, 20-26.4.04: 4; Excellence, 22-28.6.04: 16).
Reproductive Health
Table 36: Frequency of report on Reproductive health in the two magazines
Themes Reported
Themes Reported
No. Of Times
No. Of Times
Magazine
Reproductive Health 5 13%
Celebrity Excellence
No. Of Times
% %
Reproductive health was only reported in Celebrity Magazine. Articles
focused on issues of family planning methods, its effects and benefits. An
article urged women to engage in healthy living (Celebrity, 15-21.4.04: 11).
Other issues focusing on reproductive health dealt with abortions which went
wrong (Celebrity, 1-7.4.04: 25).
Sexual Orientation
Print Media Coverage Of Sexuality Issues in Nigeria
Table 37: Frequency of reports on sexual orientation and identity
Magazine
Celebrity Excellence
No. Of Times
% %
Sexual Orientation and Identity 3% 2 8%
Reports on sexual orientation and identities centered on the issue of
homosexuality, which was said to be booming in Delta State University
(Celebrity, 8-14.04: 22). A case of a Prudent Bank Manager harassing a
subordinate for sexual reasons was also reported (Excellence, 8-14.6.04: 9). A
celebrity was accused of homosexuality though he denied. These reported
cases of homosexuality, shows that Nigerians cannot keep on claiming that
there is no such thing in the country. The tone of the report shows that it is still
not a common or an acceptable practice in Nigeria.