NOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal ISSN No: 2581 - 4230 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 8, Aug. -2021 ART REPORTING: CARTOONING IN THE PRINT MEDIA Buike Oparaugo Former Lecturer, Mass Communication Department, The Polytechnic of Sokoto State, Sokoto [email protected] ABSTRACT: consider the timeliness of the issue being This paper examined cartooning in presented to the readers. The researcher the print media as a form of reporting. identified some of the functions/roles of Cartooning generally requires a measure of newspaper cartoons, among which is that creativity and ability to depict issues and cartoon provides readers with the platform events in pictorial fashion. The use of of the formation of public opinion. The cartoons has been a long standing feature of researcher concluded that cartoons the print media, specifically newspapers published in newspapers are the critiques and magazines. Caricature as a form of art of the issues, personalities and institutions had existed for a very long time in Nigeria of the current situation as it can be said that before the belief that this form of cartoons are the chronicle of the current satirisation in Nigeria is a colonial history. The researcher therefore, innovation. The Punch, The Guardian, This recommend that Art Reporting should be Day, The Sun, Vanguard, The Nation, Tell, stand as a separate course in the field of Newswatch, etc., all publish cartoons and mass communication just as Photography comic strips on social, political and and Photojournalism, Investigative and economic affairs of the country or as Interpretative Reporting, Editorial Writing, illustrations of some editorial matter. Feature and Article Writing, and News Cartoons are funny drawings on Writing and Reporting. newspapers and magazines making caricature of societal ills or Key words: Cartoon, cartooning, print maladministration. The primary function of media. the cartoon is communication. Cartoon was originally a sketch for a large canvas or INTRODUCTION: fresco painting for architectural drawings, Cartoons have over the years become a for tapestry design or for pictures in mosaic major feature of newspaper and magazine or glass. At present, cartoon has no doubt content in Nigeria. A panoramic observation become an indispensable part of would reveal that most daily newspapers and modern journalism. The article is however, weekly magazines publish various cartoons anchored on two theories: social and comic strips (Onakpa, 2014). The Punch, responsibility theory and agenda-setting The Guardian, This Day, The Sun, Vanguard, theory. The researcher highlighted three The Nation, Tell, Newswatch, etc., all publish major types of newspaper cartoons, which cartoons and comic strips on social, political are: comic strips, political cartoons and gag and economic affairs of the country or as cartoons. While considering the illustrations of some editorial matter. prominence and personality involved in Cartooning has been one of the most significant drawing cartoon, the cartoonist also has to tools in propagating and promoting the cultural 1 | P a g e NOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal ISSN No: 2581 - 4230 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 8, Aug. -2021 heritage in Nigeria. Using imagery, metaphor, and building of public opinion on salient symbolism and other rhetorical devices political and social issues (Abraham, 2009). cartoonist defines political situations and The old thoughts of media historians to deny attempts to interpret them visually in a way the worthiness of cartoons has replaced with that is both amusing and thought provoking. the concept that cartoon communication is The primary function of the cartoon is used for government propaganda, public communication. And communication more catharsis, publicity stunt, or instructional aid, specifically is defined as a process of sharing so the media scholars have started to pay meaning the source of the message and the attention on cartoon research as a powerful individual or group of individuals on the medium of communication (Ashfaq and Bin- receiving end (Tyumbu, 2018, p.137). Udoakah Hussein, 2013). Cartoon certainly ranks among (2003a) remarks that both editors and the oldest core content of mass media of cartoonists consider cartoons as a very communication. It is obvious; however, that effective channel of communication. Udoakah this vital content of mass media has received (2003b) argues that the satirical minimal research attention and or critical representation in graphic form of the lives of analysis in professional journals, series, political actors and actions as well as socio- books, etc. this oversight is actually what has economic, religious, or cultural issues with sparked off the desire for this study. political undertones, reveal the narrative More specifically, media discourse power of cartoons, thus he writes: “narrative harnesses language as an indispensable tool in communication is a process that does not take media communication whereby journalists use place exclusively through linguistic medium both linguistic and nonlinguistic resources as but that all media, whatever their primary devices, techniques or skills of manipulating sensory basis, can serve as vectors of language efficiently and persuasively to create narrative.” The term also means giving and effect and impression in a literary or dramatic receiving signs which have meaning attached work such as cartoons and to evoke a to them. The importance of communication in particular response from audience. These the society cannot be over emphasized. That is devices are employed purposely to why Oyewo (2000) stated that communication communicate with the audience in order to is a central activity that human life revolves persuade them towards perceiving a particular around, a sine qua non to human to human topic from a different point of view to make existence. Just as news writing and reporting is them more receptive and to provide rational a universal feature of print and electronic argument for making public opinion that may media, cartoon is a major feature or aspect of bring positive changes in society (Sani, the print media. Cartoons must meet certain Abdullah, Abdullah and Ali, 2012). criteria which among other things include prominence, proximity, personality involved MEANING OF CARTOON: and so on. Just as editorial relies on topical Cartoons are funny drawings on issues which have been in the news recently, so newspapers and magazines making caricature does cartoons rely on editorial and news to of societal ills or maladministration. Cartoon is draw its meaning when drawn. a pictorial parody or imitation, which, by the Some scholars see the genre of political devices of caricature, analogy as well as cartoons as an important medium of formation ludicrous juxtaposition, sharpens the public 2 | P a g e NOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS JournalNX- A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal ISSN No: 2581 - 4230 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 8, Aug. -2021 view of a contemporary or topical issue, event, sequence of boxes. Editorial cartoons are single political or social trend. A cartoon carries with panel graphics that comment on political it the caricature as an almost indispensable events and policy, and serve to define the element. Just as the caricature is for an significant topics of political discourse and audience that is familiar with the original, the record them, thus creating a “snapshot” of the cartoon is based on wide acquaintance with the political climate in a given period (Conners, subject. Cartoons come in various 2005) forms/genres: the editorial cartoons which are Some scholars see cartoons as an found in newspapers and magazines, and important medium for the formation of public animations/animated cartoons for the opinions on salient social issues (Agberia, electronic media, e.g. Tom and Jerry, Casper, 2003). They are seen as “both, opinion- Pokemon, Mickey Mouse, etc. moulding and opinion- reflecting”, and they According to Salihu and Oparaugo provide subtle frameworks within which to (2017, p.149) cartoon can be defined as “funny examine the life and political process of a line drawings in newspapers mocking the nation (Caswell, 2004). Cartoons are intended political events and policy.” They further added to transform otherwise complex and opaque that cartoons usually employ humor or irony to social events and situation into quick and easily point out shortcomings or hypocrisies within readable depictions that facilitates the political system. An editorial cartoon, also comprehension of the nature of social issues known as a political cartoon, is a drawing and events (Agberia, 2003). containing a commentary expressing the Cartoon is defined as “a graphic artist's opinion (Sterling, 2009). Shelton (2017) presentation typically designed in one panel, further posits that an artist who writes and non-counting format to make an independent draws such images is known as an editorial statement or observation on political events or cartoonist. They typically combine artistic skill, social policy,” (Edward and Ware, 2005). They hyperbole and satire in order to question often employ humor or irony to point out authority and draw attention to corruption, short-comings or hypocrisies within the political violence and other social ills. political system. While many studies use the Newspaper cartoons are drawings or terms “political cartoon” and “editorial series of art drawings that tell stories about cartoon” interchangeably, others differentiate