NJOMACS

The media plays an influential role in shaping public understanding and perception because the public largely depends on the media for information. The way issues of public interest are framed in the media can directly influence public opinion, acceptance and policy formulation. This study, therefore, investigates the media framing of student loan policy among selected television channels in Nigeria. To evaluate media framing, the study specifically examined the pattern of coverage and prominent news frames regarding the student loan policy. The study was anchored on the media framing theory. Through the use of content analysis, the study examined a total of 82 television reports across five different television channels between June 2023 and June 2025. Findings from the study revealed government accountability and impact on education as the dominant patterns of frame, the findings also show that the student loan policy is a subject that has attracted appreciable amount of media coverage and attention in recent times. However, public understanding on the prerequisites, repayment modalities and even acceptance may be low. The study therefore recommends the need for the media to remain in its reportage of student loan policy.