EDITORIAL INSIGHTS INTO RADICAL MOVEMENTS: PATTERNS AND PERSPECTIVES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study focuses on the editorial analysis of recurrent themes in reports on radical movements in Nigeria, with particular attention to the discourse structure of editorials. The data, comprising 16 editorial reports from four Nigerian newspapers—the Guardian, Punch, Daily Trust, and Daily Independent—was analyzed using Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Findings reveal that editorial reports strategically select themes to subtly shape readers’ perspectives on radical movements in Nigeria. Based on these insights, it is recommended that media discourse be incorporated into the curricula of Nigerian tertiary institutions to enhance public awareness of the discourse strategies employed by the media to influence perceptions.