Re-Evaluating the Vulture Reporting Hypothesis Vis-à-Vis Nigeria Press Reportage of Osinachi the Popular Gospel Artiste's Death Via Domestic Violence

Abstract

This study aimed at re-evaluating the vulture reporting hypothesis in relation to Nigerian press reportage of the death of
Osinachi Nwachukwu the popular gospel music artiste via domestic violence. The study is a review of whether the Nigerian
media exhibited vulture reporting mentality, which they have been accused of in previous studies in this present case of the
death of the gospel artiste of the “Ekwueme” fame. Specific objectives of the study are to: ascertain the prevalence of
domestic violence in the family of Peter and Osinachi Nwachukwu as a couple; assess media reports of whether Osinachi
actually died from domestic violence; find out whether the media reinforce vulture reporting mentality from the manner of
reportage of the death of Osinachi and determine the direction of Nigerian press reportage of the death of Osinachi. The
study was anchored in the Vulture Reporting Hypothesis postulated by a renowned communication scholar Prof Ikechukwu
Emmanuel Nwosu, which held that the mass media feast on an issue or newsworthy incident while it is hot and abandon it
after it has cooled down. The qualitative research design was adopted while utilizing the library research method in which
both conceptual and empirical studies were reviewed. It is therefore on the strength of the reviewed literature that conclusions
were drawn. The study found among others the prevalence of domestic violence in the family home of Peter and Osinachi
Nwachukwu which led to the death of the gospel music artiste; that the death of the popular Nigerian gospel singer was
linked to domestic violence; that the Nigerian media was not found to reinforce vulture reporting mentality in the case of
Osinachi Nwachukwu and that the direction of the reportage is in the positive. The study recommends among others that
media platforms should endeavour to follow up on the incidences of domestic violence comprehensively and elaborately so
as to expose the forms and extent for a result-oriented knowledge of families, the public and government to recognize and
embrace different positive roles for peaceful and harmonious existence.