MEDIA REPRESENTATION OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN NIGERIA: A FEMINIST CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study critically examines the media representation of gender-based violence against women (GBVAW) in Nigeria. Using feminist critical discourse analysis (FCDA), it analyzes 30 discourses which are referred to as news articles and editorials from leading Nigerian newspapers namely the Sun, the Guardian, and, the Punch newspapers, published between 1^st January and 31^st December 2022. The study reveals that the media often perpetuate patriarchal norms, victim-blaming, and implicit biases, and also identify potential transformative representations that advocate for justice and gender equality. The research underscores the urgent need for ethical and gender-sensitive reporting that prioritizes survivor voices and challenges stereotypes