NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY Journal of Communication AND MEDIA Studies Volume 1 Number 2 1 SOCIO-CULTURAL VARIABLES AND MEDIA COVERAGE OF GIRL CHILD MARRIAGES Godswill Okiyi, Ph.D Department of Mass Communication, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State okiyigodswill@hotmail.com 08033025889, 08155958716 Chinwe Odionye, Ph.D Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State odionyechinwe@yahoo.com 08065832040, 08036515665 Adenike Okeya, Ph.D Department of Communication and Media Studies Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State omotayookeya@gmail.com 08038851146 Abstract Girl-child marriages have been an ongoing practice in many traditional and modern societies. It is a common practice which exists in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Presently, girl child marriages predominate in developing countries, most of which have not accepted or domesticated the Child Rights Acts which aims to legalize the protection of children from different kinds of abuses. The media are expected to play roles of advocacy by setting agenda on such issues as child marriages by providing adequate coverage through news reports, editorials, interviews, features and other kinds of contents. This paper is a systematic critical analysis which relied on secondary data to examine issues explored. The study is underpinned by the mutedgroup and spiral of silence theories. While the latter examined communication patterns and social representation of non-dominant cultural groups like women and other minorities, the spiral of silence theory posits that the mass media work simultaneously with majority public opinion to silence minority beliefs or cultural issues. Literature revealed that the media do not significantly report social problems of child abuse and violence. Reportage of other sections of societies occupies more prominent media space. However, as part of roles of the media, they are to sensitize and create awareness of issues related to rights and protection of children. Keywords: Socio-Cultural, Media Coverage, Girl Child, Marriages INTRODUCTION The girl child in the history of mankind has always been at the receiving end of social injustices perpetrated. These are manifested in different forms, including forced labour, sexual violence, rape, slavery, child prostitution, inadequate or lack of education, and forced early marriage. Elaborating on this, Thomas-Odia (2018) observed that there are about “100 million Nigerians who are currently living below poverty level. They account for over 61 percent of our population represented by the countless numbers of women who are unemployed, have no access to healthcare, and the girl child who is denied basic education.” By implication therefore, most social ills are borne by women, who include girl children.