The topic of this research work is Newspaper coverage of 2011 presidential election in Nigeria (A case study of vanguard Newspaper) Election in Nigeria has hit the rock and the authorities that should revamp. It a result, the researcher embarked on this research to ascertain the causes behind it, content analysis method was used to collect data. The American psychological Association style of reference was used. The population of the research is 48 editions where as the sample size is 48 editions which was gotten with the use of taro yamane formular. The findings of this research are that Nigeria government is not voting appropriately to the presidency according to the INEC offices.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - - i

Approval page - - - - - - - - ii

Dedication - - - - - - - - iii

Acknowledgement - - - - - - - iv

Abstract - - - - - - - - - v

Table of contents - - - - - - - vi

List of Table - - - - - - - - x

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background of study - - - - - - 1

1.2 Statement Problem - - - - - - 9

1.3 Objective of study - - - - - - 11

1.4 Significance of study - - - - - - 12

1.5 Research questions - - - - - - 14

1.6 Research Hypothesis - - - - - - 15

1.7 Theoretical framework - - - - - 16

1.8 Scope of study - - - - - - - 17

1.9 Limitation of the study - - - - - 17

1.10 Definition of terms - - - - - - 19

References - - - - - - - 23

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW - - - - - - 24

2.1 Sources of literature - - - - - - 24

2.2 Literature Review - - - - - - 29

2.3 Summary of literature - - - - - 29

References - - - - - - - 34

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - - - - - - 35

3.1 Research Design - - - - - - 35

3.2 Area of Study - - - - - - - 36

3.3 Research Population - - - - - - 37

3.4 Research sample - - - - - - 38

3.5 Sampling Techniques- - - - - - 39

3.6 Measuring Instrument - - - - - 40

3.7 Data Collection - - - - - - - 41

3.8 Data analysis - - - - - - - 42

3.9 Expected Result - - - - - - 43

References - - - - - - - 45

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS 46

4.1 Data presentation and Analysis - - - - 46

4.2 Data distribution and analysis - - - - 50

4.3 Result - - - - - - - - 55

4.4 Discussion - - - - - - - 56

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 59

5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - 59

5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - 63

5.3 Recommendation - - - - - - 64

Bibliography - - - - - - - 67

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

THE HISTORY OF VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

The Daily vanguard is an independent student newspaper for Portland state university. The newspaper generally referred to as simply the vanguard publishing.

The tabloid format newspaper has a circulation of 5,000 and is distributed for free in and around the Portland state campus area until fall 2010 it was published Tuesday through Friday during the academic year, and once a week during the summer. Tuesday, Friday and summer issues were 12 pages, while Wednesday and Thursday issues were eight. Beginning September 28 the Vanguard began publishing two 16 – pages issues twice per week on Tuesday and Fridays due to budget cuts. Exclusively online stories are also released every Tuesday evening.

The Vanguard is composed of four sections: News, Opinion, Arts and culture and Sports. The news section provides coverage of significant events relating to the university, administration, student government and the city of Portland. The opinion section offers a variety of views on local and national news and politics and provides a forum of discussion and debates for students and faculty. Arts and culture covers arts entertainment and popular culture around campus and Portland.

The sports section provides coverage of Portland state athletics teams campus recreation and student run recreational clubs. The news paper’s approximately &300.000 annual operating budget is funded in Portland through student fees and in part through advertising revenue.

The vanguard does have a delivery circulation service