Framing The Accra Floods: How The Daily Graphic And The Daily Guide Newspapers Covered The Flooding In Accra.

ABSTRACT

Flooding is undoubtedly one of the global natural disasters with the most debilitating effects on

both humans and other living things alike. It is the leading and most frequent cause of natural

disaster fatalities worldwide. It has become such a global concern that both developed and

developing countries give maximum attention to it in finding ways of minimizing, if not

preventing, its effects. The objective of this study is not to describe the impact of flood events on

human populations in terms of mortality, injury and displacement but to look at the extent to

which the media give prominence to stories of flooding in the capital of Ghana and the angling

of the reportage on this natural disaster. The period between 2014 and 2015 has been full of

several flooding disasters in Accra with unforgettable loss of lives and property. It was expected

of the print media especially to give comprehensive coverage of these occurrences in order to

give valuable information about prevention, recovery and mitigation. The focus is on two print

media in Ghana; the Daily Graphic and the Daily Guide.

The study found out that most of the stories on flooding focused on the loss of human lives and

properties. Other aspects of flooding that were highlighted in the newspaper articles include

ordeals and challenge of flood victims, effects of flooding on human lives and donations to flood

victims. The study further found that nearly 60% of flood stories were placed on the front, centre

and back pages of the two newspapers indicating that the two attached prominence to the

phenomenon. Findings from the work also suggested that there were no real significant

differences between the coverage of Daily Guide and Daily Graphic on the subject. The study

concluded by suggesting that journalists must desist from unnecessary sensationalisation of

flood-related stories. Rather, they should attach a great deal of professionalism to their reportage.