@article{CRSIJ26000124,
                  author = {Ijeoma P. Jideofor , Chioma S. Ozongwu, Blessing C. Eboh, Rita E. Agwu},
                  title = {A Statistical Content Analysis of French-Language Media Coverage of Nigerian Sports (2015–2025)},
                  journal = {Cosmo Research and Science International Journal},
                  year = {2025},
                  volume = {1},
                  number = {6},
                  pages = {72-83},
                  issn = {3108-1584},
                  url = {https://cosmorsij.com/published/CRSIJ26000124.pdf},
                  abstract = {The phenomenon of diffusion of narratives within the linguistic medium system is an area of underdevelopment concerning the communication related to sports in Africa. In particular, this research work explores the patterns of representation of Nigerian sport in the French language media during 2015-2025 period. The study conducted a mixed methods content analysis using a dataset of French language media articles that mention Nigerian athletes, teams and sporting events during a decade. The study employed both quantitative content analysis of media articles and qualitative framing analysis of narratives within sports journalism. The results demonstrated the patterns of concentration on football, which becomes the central focus for reporting by sampled media outlets. Other sports activities, including athletics and basketball become rarely mentioned and are the subject of people's attention only at times of major continental competitions. Besides the patterns related to frequency, the temporal analysis found that the media coverage increases in preparation to the participation in African and world championships in which Nigerian sports teams compete. In addition to those patterns, the qualitative analysis of selected articles found the pattern of construction of the representation of Nigerian sports on competition, performance and prestige. The implications of the findings presented above point to the significance of editorial practices and how events-based reporting plays an important role in representing Nigerian sports through the Francophone media space. The paper also sheds light on the role of linguistic media networks in the process of diffusion of sports news in the African region. Based on statistical measurement and interpretation, the study provides valuable insight into the process of producing sporting identity and reputation through sports journalism.},
                  keywords = {French language, Sport, Statistics, media},
                  month = {May}
        }