NJOMACS

This research evaluates how residents of Abuja perceived the news reporting patterns of NTA and Channels TV during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. It employed the survey method, using a purposive sampling technique and multi-stage sampling technique, 400 copies questionnaire were distributed across five housing estates in the Abuja Municipal Area Council. The study was guided by news framing theory and cultivation theory. The research revealed that NTA and Channels TV were primary sources of COVID-19 information for a significant portion of respondents, comprising 57.75% of the total respondents. However, satisfaction with reporting accuracy varies, and there are differing views on bias and trustworthiness. Active audience engagement is evident. The study emphasises the complexity of audience perceptions regarding news content and reporting during the pandemic. Challenges include varying opinions on ease of access, timeliness of news updates, and instances of feeling overwhelmed. A majority believed that COVID-19 reporting could have been significantly improved. The study concluded that a substantial level of audience engagement, with NTA and Channels TV emerging as prominent sources of COVID-19 information; however, diverse perceptions on reporting accuracy and content highlight polarisation, suggesting a need for channels to address varying audience expectations and preferences amidst challenges related to news consumption during the pandemic. It recommended, among other things, the enhancement of health reporting, media outlets should address diverse audience expectations, improve reporting accuracy, and overcome challenges related to accessibility and timeliness of news updates.