Influence of the Hope Newspaper and Trace Magazine’s Political Report on the Voting Pattern of Akure Residents During the 2020 Gubernatorial Poll

ABSTRACT

The study examined the influence of the Hope Newspaper and Trace Magazine’s political report on the voting pattern of Akure residents during the 2020 gubernatorial poll. The study adopted basic research approach and convenient sampling technique to select Trace and Hope Magazines within Akure. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count, percentages and chats. Findings disclosed both Trace Magazine and Hope Newspaper had wider coverage of Ondo state 2020 gubernatorial electoral processes as majority of the study’s respondents were of the opinion that sufficient happenings relating to the election were covered by both print media. Results revealed the coverage in the reportage of Trace Magazine and Hope Newspaper outfits as regards the election had great influence on the turnout for the electoral process as majority of the respondents were of the opinion that their participations in the election were highly influenced by Trace Magazine and Hope Newspaper reportage of the electoral process. Also, results revealed reportage of 2020 gubernatorial electoral process covered by Trace Magazine and Hope Newspaper did not have significant influence on voting pattern of the electorate that played out in the elections. The study recommended that electorates, politicians, political analysts and other stakeholders should not underrate the important of print media as reliable medium of accessing adequate information regarding electoral matters and government should regulate print media with the view to ensuring reportage on print media is in line with media law because bad reportage could pose threat to high turnout of the electorates in the election.

Keywords: Gubernatorial Elections, Print Media, Impact, Politics, Mobilization
Word count: 250