This research is conducted to ascertain informed public’s views on Nigerian government’s management of news and information during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Nigeria. Purposively selected participants were engaged in a WhatsApp conference to investigate how they perceive government’s management of news and information on the pandemic; expose government’s efforts in disseminating news and information, and its influence on the overall management and control of the disease in Nigeria. Using framing theory in its analysis, the article argues that government’s nepotistic, secretive management of news and information on COVID adversely affected public trust, which is read as a form of censorship through silence designed to obstruct transparency, accountability and citizenship participation on national issues, contrary to the principles of Open Government Partnership (OGP) which Nigeria, is member to. The article reiterates on the need for government to build the confidence of Nigerians and boost its overall image.

中文翻译：

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尼日利亚政府和管理有关冠状病毒大流行的新闻和信息

进行这项研究是为了确定知情的公众对尼日利亚政府在尼日利亚冠状病毒 (COVID-19) 大流行期间管理新闻和信息的看法。有意选择的参与者参加了一次 WhatsApp 会议，以调查他们如何看待政府对疫情新闻和信息的管理；揭露政府在传播新闻和信息方面的努力，及其对尼日利亚疾病总体管理和控制的影响。文章在分析中使用框架理论认为，政府对有关 COVID 的新闻和信息的裙带关系、秘密管理对公众信任产生了不利影响，这被解读为一种通过沉默进行审查的形式，旨在阻碍透明度、问责制和公民在国家问题上的参与，违背了尼日利亚加入的开放政府伙伴关系 (OGP) 的原则。文章重申政府需要建立尼日利亚人的信心并提升其整体形象。