PREPARED BY
OVERVIEW
This report presents findings from the analysis of the coverage of children-related issues in Uganda for the period 1st – 14th January 2023 by various online media platforms. The main method used was content analysis.
Overall, the analyzed data results show that 559 stories were published online on children and children-related issues in Uganda, indicating an increase of 128 stories from those published during the last two weeks of December 2022.
Three Hundred six (306) stories focused on keeping children safe[1], 148 on keeping children learning[2], while 105 were on keeping children alive[3]
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA (JANUARY 1ST – 14TH 2023)
- INTRODUCTION
Ultimate Multimedia Consult (UMC) is required to present to UNICEF Uganda an analysis of editorial and journalistic reporting trends on children-related issues in online publications after every two weeks. This report presents findings on how online publications covered children-related issues for the first two weeks of January 2023.
The report also shows how UNICEF Uganda messages, including press releases, reports and expertise, are reported on by online publications. In addition, the report gives insights into the accuracy and appropriateness of the information provided on children’s issues.
The analyzed content was drawn from news websites based in Uganda like: NTV Uganda, NBS TV, Bukedde and Capital FM; other websites like: Daily Monitor, New Vision, Uganda Radio Network, ChimpReports, PML Daily, Nile Post and The Independent among others as well as websites based in other countries. The analyzed data was accessed from online publications/platforms.
- ONLINE ANALYSIS
We captured 559 articles from online publications reporting children-related issues during the first two weeks of January 2023 (1st – 14th) indicating an increase of 128 stories from those recorded during the last two weeks of December 2022. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication, and category.
- CATEGORIES
Three hundred six (306) stories were centered on keeping children safe.
Issues on keeping children learning were reported in 148 stories.
Stories on keeping children alive were in 105 stories.
Graph showing the distribution of story articles in terms of categories
- GENDER OF AUTHORS
During the period under review, male authors reported and or wrote most stories. While some stories had more than one author, 110 stories had no authors specified.
SENTIMENT
We found 57% of the stories on children issues published online during the first two weeks of January 2023 had a negative sentiment[4]. Children-related stories with neutral sentiment were the least.
Out of the 317 children-related stories we recorded having negative sentiments, six (06) mentioned UNICEF. The mentions are in the articles below:
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/athletics/rampant-child-marriages-ruin-female-athletes-in-sebei-sub-region–4084342 Rampant child marriages ruin female athletes in Sebei sub-region
- https://newz.ug/a-child-died-once-every-4-4-seconds-in-2021-united-nations-report/ A child died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021 – United Nations report
- https://globalpressjournal.com/africa/uganda/crops-grow-children-go-hungry/ Where Crops Grow, but Children Go Hungry
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/un-decries-intolerable-loss-of-5-million-children-in-2021-4082716 UN decries ‘intolerable’ loss of 5 million children in 2021
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/a-child-died-once-every-4-4-seconds-in-2021un-report A Child Died Once Every 4.4 Seconds in 2021–UN Report
- https://newz.ug/a-child-died-once-every-4-4-seconds-in-2021-united-nations-report/ A child died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021 – United Nations report
- SHARE OF VOICE
Majority of the stories recorded during the first two weeks of January 2023 had a high share of voice[5] on children and children-related issues.
- TYPE OF COVERAGE
The graph below shows the type of coverage of children-related stories online during the period 1st – 14th January 2023
- MESSAGE FIDELITY
Majority (77%) of the children-related stories recorded during the first two weeks of January 2023 had high message fidelity. This implies that they laid out their messages clearly, through the use of facts, statistics, audio-visuals and sources, making it easy for users to understand them as intended by authors. Such stories are credible and trusted by content consumers.
- NATURE OF QUOTES
Out of the 559 children-related stories we recorded from online publications, 432 stories had direct quotes indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news. Eight (08) stories had no quotes.
- USE OF VISUALS
In the stories recorded during this period, 546 hadaudio–visuals (photos, videos, audio and graphics). Thirteen (13) stories had no audiovisuals as shown below.
 Stories with visuals are understood much more than those without.
- ISSUES COVERED
The graphic below shows the topics covered in children-related stories online. The size of the words in the figure below and the numbers shown in the brackets (after the graphic) reflect the frequency at which the various topics were reported on in online publications.
From the stories captured, we noted that the issues of Child protection (142 times), and Schools (64 times) were the most covered during this period. These were followed by:
- Education (60)
- Child death (47)
- Child murder (45)
- Child health (34)
- Domestic Violence (23)
- Parenting (23)
- School fees (19)
- Maternal health (18)
- Sexual Gender Based Violence (15)
- Defilement (15)
- Ebola (15)
- Examinations (13)
- Child Kidnapping (14)
- Note that some stories covered more than one issue
- STORIES DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (208) of the stories recorded were from the Central region while the Western region had the least stories at 58 as represented on the graph above.
While some stories cut across different districts, others were general in nature and therefore were not recorded as coming from any of the four regions of Uganda.
From the figure above, Kampala District had the highest coverage with 123 stories.
Kyankwanzi (7), Mukono (18), Wakiso (12), Sembabule (3), Nakaseke (3), Mubende (5), Mpigi (1), Mityana (5), Masaka (4), Lyantonde (4), Kyotera (8), Kiboga (1), Kayunga (1), Kassanda (3), Buvuma (5), Bukomansimbi (2), Buikwe (3)
Kamuli (15), Tororo (2), Soroti (2), Sironko (2), Kapchorwa (2), Serere (1), Pallisa (1), Pakwach (3), Mbale (7), Mayuge (2), Luuka (2), Kwania (3), Kumi (1), Kibuku (1), Katakwi (1), Jinja (6), Iganga (3), Buyende (2), Butaleja (1), Busia (2), Bulambuli (2)
Kabale (2), Rukungiri (3), Mbarara (11), Kyegegwa (1), Kitagwenda (2), Kisoro (1), Kikuube (1), Kibaale (1), Kasese (1), Kanungu (3), Kamwenge (3), Kagadi (6), Kabarole (3), Hoima (8), Bunyangabu (5), Kyenjojo (2), Kanungu (1), Kakumiro (4)
Gulu (10), Omoro (4), Yumbe (4), Kaabong (2), Zombo (1), Yumbe (3), Adjumani (2), Pader (2), Oyam (3), Nwoya (1), Napak (1), Nebbi (1), Moroto (6), Lira (12), Lamwo (4), Kitgum (2), Kaabong (6), Dokolo (2), Arua (7), Apac (4), Amuru (2), Kole (4), Otuke (1), Abong (1), Apac (2), Alebtong (1)
- UNICEF UGANDA WEBSITE ARTICLES
This part analyzes UNICEF Uganda messages, including press releases, reports and expertise, and how they are reported on by UNICEF Uganda website.
During the first two weeks of January 2023, one (01) article was published on the UNICEF Uganda website.
| Story link & title | Search Engine Optimization (SEO)[6] | Comments | |
| 1. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/helping-children-overcome-ebola-stigma Helping children to overcome Ebola stigma | PhotosGood use of keywordsKeyword-rich title | Outbound and inbound links on keywords and characters in your articles can make them stand out in Google searches. Keywords can also be included as tags.Headlines can also be made keyword-rich to make articles more searchable and attract readers’ attention.Use of videos in the articles is commendable as it provides extra information on the topic as well as rich media.Exploit other visuals like graphics and animations whenever possible. Multimedia articles are not only easy to understand but also stand out in online searches.Use of block quotes, bolding key phrases and putting some parts of the article in list form makes it scannable and easy to read |
- UNICEF MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF was mentioned 19 times out of the 599 children-related stories in online publications. Below are links to the stories where UNICEF was mentioned during the first two weeks of January 2023:
- https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON431 Yellow fever – African Region (AFRO)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zivfqwa-MUE BATTLING MALNUTRITION: Project aims at improving nutrition in Karamoja
- https://www.precisionvaccinations.com/yellow-fever-less-risky-certain-african-countries Yellow Fever Less Risky in Certain African Countries
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/africa-press-releases/improve-healthcare-access-to-end-preventable-tragedy-of-child-mortality-oem28asa Improve healthcare access to end ‘preventable tragedy’ of child mortality
- https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/responsible-data-refugee-children-uganda-improving-data-systems-mental-health-and-psychosocial-services-through-studio-series Responsible Data for Refugee Children in Uganda – Improving Data Systems for Mental Health and Psychosocial Services Through A Studio Series
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57CvRIZCDYs Disabling poor feeding, Five-year proper feeding project launched in Uganda
- https://globalpressjournal.com/africa/uganda/crops-grow-children-go-hungry/ Where Crops Grow, but Children Go Hungry
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/un-decries-intolerable-loss-of-5-million-children-in-2021-4082716 UN decries ‘intolerable’ loss of 5 million children in 2021
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/a-child-died-once-every-4-4-seconds-in-2021un-report A Child Died Once Every 4.4 Seconds in 2021–UN Report
- https://newz.ug/a-child-died-once-every-4-4-seconds-in-2021-united-nations-report/ A child died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021 – United Nations report
- https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/01/10/cooperation-in-a-fragmented-world-addressing-pressing-crises-tackling-future-challenges/ Cooperation in a Fragmented World: Addressing Pressing Crises, Tackling Future Challenges
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/letters/mr-president-create-a-next-generation-competent-uganda-4081276 Mr President, create a next generation competent Uganda
- https://thewhistler.ng/finally-uganda-is-free-from-ebola-virus/ Finally, Uganda Is Free From Ebola Virus
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-lists-priority-plans-after-successful-ebola-fight-4083714 Govt lists priority plans after successful Ebola fight
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/athletics/rampant-child-marriages-ruin-female-athletes-in-sebei-sub-region–4084342 Rampant child marriages ruin female athletes in Sebei sub-region
- https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/2317782-health-news-roundup-uganda-declares-itself-ebola-free-after-swiftly-turning-tide-on-outbreak-chinese-fret-over-elderly-as Health News Roundup: Uganda declares itself Ebola-free after swiftly turning tide on outbreak; Chinese fret over elderly as WHO warns of holiday COVID surge and more
- https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/technology/2023-01-13-un-women-call-for-application-to-first-coding-camp/ UN Women call for application to first coding camp
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/world/un-calls-for-urgent-help-to-combat-acute-chil-151531 UN calls for urgent help to combat acute child malnutrition
- https://www.independent.co.ug/unicef-appeals-for-272-mln-usd-to-help-3-mln-somalis-in-2023/ UNICEF appeals for 272 mln USD to help 3 mln Somalis in 2023
- COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The World Health Organization (WHO) was the most mentioned comparator in 29 stories, followed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) 27, Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) with 24, European Union 13, United Nations (UN) 10 among other comparators.
Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
| COMPARATOR | NUMBER OF MENTIONS |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 29 |
| Ministry of Health (MoH) | 27 |
| Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) | 24 |
| European Union | 13 |
| United Nations (UN) | 10 |
| United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) | 9 |
| USAID | 6 |
| Plan International | 6 |
| UNAIDS | 5 |
| World Vision | 5 |
| Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) | 5 |
| Save the Children | 5 |
| Child Fund Uganda | 5 |
| SOS Children’s Village | 4 |
| United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) | 4 |
| Office of the Prime Minister | 4 |
| World Bank | 4 |
| United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) | 3 |
| International Rescue Committee (IRC) | 3 |
| UN Women | 2 |
| UWESO | 2 |
| International Labour Organisation | 2 |
| Safe Places Uganda | 2 |
| Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) | 1 |
| World Food Program (WFP) | 1 |
| UNESCO | 1 |
| Rotary International | 1 |
| Action Aid | 1 |
| Girls Not Brides | 1 |
| Iceland Embassy | 1 |
| Water Aid | 1 |
| Action Aid Uganda | 1 |
| Care International | 1 |
- SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHTS 1ST – 14TH JANUARY 2023
YOUTUBE
- SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS
This part looks at how different media organizations in Uganda posted about children-related issues on social media. During this period, NTV Uganda, The New Vision, NBS TV and Daily Monitor posted the most on children. Posting was mainly on aspects of education, girl child, examinations, Ebola outbreak and preparedness, pediatrics, child malnutrition, teaching, child health, teachers, COVID19, school fees, child marriage, teenage pregnancy and other sex-related offences against children, reproductive health, maternal and neonatal health, child protection, parenting and violence against children, among others. Below are snippets from and links to the posts captured from social media:
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/photos/a.341594839077/1016063558045407
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/photos/a.319879798060481/5922345167813888
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm_FrT4sl7D/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm–zIAs6Xm/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnB4nEss4NU/
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/photos/a.319879798060481/5927941750587563
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnJLHUuOpsu/
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/photos/a.319879798060481/5935931879788550
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnMWzyPOrqc/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnT2UpeueBh/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnTzp2xOAKS/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnWbHUAN7b4/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnWIzA-q6ay/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnY_6UFO2z5/
[1] Stories in this category may refer to a journalistic report(s) written and presented in the context of the social safety and welfare including the security of a child. Such stories include any content that addresses issues that threaten the lives of children like physical assault, psychosocial injury and threat.
[2] Reports categorized as such may connote content published in a context of improving and addressing the issues concerning both informal and formal education of a child, including early and progressive learning.
[3] This is concerned with stories and journalistic content which addresses the health of children in Uganda. It may also entail stories that look at the welfare of pregnant mothers or maternal health in general.
[4] Sentiment (also known as tonality) is used to measure how messages contained in children related stories are portrayed in the media in relation to UNICEF’s mission to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Sentiment is normally categorized as positive, neutral or negative.
[5] The measure of the publicity/exposure a brand or issue receives in a story compared to its competitors or other issues.
[6] Search Engine Optimization is the process of improving the content on your website to increase its visibility for relevant searches online.
