PREPARED BY
OVERVIEW
This report presents findings from the analysis of the coverage of children-related issues in Uganda for the period 15th – 28th April 2023 by various online media platforms. The main method used was content analysis.
Overall, the analyzed data results show that 696 articles were published online on children and children-related issues in Uganda, indicating an increase of 67 articles from those published during the first two weeks of April 2023.
Two hundred eighty-one (281) articles focused on keeping children Safe[1], 225 on keeping children Alive[2], while 190 were on keeping children Learning[3].
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA (APRIL 15TH – 28TH 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 last two weeks of April 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, Bukedde and Capital FM; other websites like: Daily Monitor, New Vision, Uganda Radio Network, Chimp Reports, PML Daily, Nile Post, The Independent, and Various YouTube Channels like UBC TV, Spark TV, Bukedde TV, NTV Uganda, NBS TV, Urban TV among others, as well as websites based in other countries. The analyzed data was accessed from online publications/platforms.
ONLINE ANALYSIS
We captured 696 articles from online publications reporting children-related issues during the last two weeks of April 2023 (15th – 28th) indicating an increase of 67 articles from those recorded during the first two weeks of April 2023. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication, and category.
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CATEGORIES
Two hundred eighty-one (281) articles were centered on keeping children safe.
Issues on keeping children alive were reported in 225 articles.
Articles on keeping children learning were in 190 articles.
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 articles. While some articles had more than one author, 56 articles had no authors specified.
SENTIMENT
We found 41% of the articles on children issues published online during the last two weeks of April 2023 had a positive sentiment[1]. Children-related articles with neutral sentiment were the least.
Out of the 247 children-related articles we recorded having a negative sentiment, twelve (12) articlesmentioned UNICEF. The mentions were in the articles below:
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-un-disagree-on-maternal-deaths-figures-4210360 Govt, UN disagree on maternal deaths figures
- https://www.independent.co.ug/unicef-report-finds-declining-confidence-in-childhood-vaccines-during-pandemic/ UNICEF report finds declining confidence in childhood vaccines during pandemic
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/education/one-million-children-drop-out-before-ple-159011 One million children drop out before PLE
- https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/273792501/new-unicef-report-shows-90-per-cent-of-adolescent-girls-in-low-income-economies-are-offline New UNICEF report shows 90 per cent of adolescent girls in low-income economies are offline
- https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/273792501/new-unicef-report-shows-90-per-cent-of-adolescent-girls-in-low-income-economies-are-offline New UNICEF report shows 90 per cent of adolescent girls in low-income economies are offline
- https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/90-of-girls-women-in-poor-countries-are-offline-report.html 90% of girls and women in poor countries are offline – Report
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/90-percent-of-adolescent-girls-woman-cant-access-internet-unicef 90 Percent of Adolescent Girls, Woman Can’t Access Internet-UNICEF
- https://allafrica.com/stories/202304270351.html Uganda: FGM Still Rampant in Amudat District Despite Ban
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/un-ngos-warn-of-rising-hunger-deaths-in-africa-4215576 UN, NGOs, warn of rising hunger deaths in Africa
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/science/90-of-adolescent-girls-young-women-dont-use-i-159114 90% of adolescent girls, young women don’t use internet in low-income countries
- https://nilepost.co.ug/2023/04/27/fgm-still-rampant-in-amudat-district-despite-ban/ FGM still rampant in Amudat district despite ban
- https://www.pmldaily.com/news/2023/04/90-adolescent-girls-young-women-in-low-income-countries-offline-unicef.html 90% adolescent girls, young women in low-income countries offline – UNICEF
SHARE OF VOICE
Majority of the articles recorded during the last two weeks of April 2023 had a high share of voice[1] on children and children-related issues.
TYPE OF COVERAGE
The graph below shows the type of coverage of children-related articles online during the period 15th – 28th April 2023
MESSAGE FIDELITY
Majority (77%) of the children-related articles recorded during the last two weeks of April 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 articles are credible and trusted by content consumers.
NATURE OF QUOTES
Out of the 696 children-related articles we recorded from online publications, 577 articles had direct quotes indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news. 05 articles had no quotes at all.
USE OF VISUALS
In the articles recorded during this period, 692 had audio–visuals (photos, videos, audio and graphic). 04 had no any visuals, as shown below.
ISSUES COVERED
The graphic below shows the topics covered in children-related articles 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 articles captured, we noted that the issues of Child protection (99 times), and Education (98 times), were the most covered during this period.
These were followed by:
- Child health (83)
- Schools (73)
- Malaria (48)
- Defilement (33)
- Child mothers (28)
- Child-trafficking (24)
- Teachers (24)
- HIV/AIDS (23)
- Homosexuality (22)
- Food and Nutrition (20)
- Teenage Pregnancy (19)
- Child death (17)
- Rape (16)
- Sexual abuse (15)
- Immunization (14)
- Child talent (14)
- Parenting (13)
- Child mortality (13)
- WASH (13)
- Maternal health (12)
- Note that some articles covered more than one issue
ARTICLES DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (357) of the articles recorded were from the Central region while the Eastern region had the least articles at 43 as represented on the graph above.
While some articles 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 in the Central region had the highest coverage with 243articles.
Kampala (243), Mityana (4), Wakiso (42), Mubende (6), Mukono (16), Mpigi (4), Masaka (3), Luweero (17), Kayunga (7), Bukomansimbi (1), Buikwe (2), Kalangala (6), Kyotera (2), Nakaseke (3) Kiboga (1)
Katakwi (1), Bugiri (6), Bukedea (1), Mbale (7), Bulambuli (2), Tororo (3), Kamuli (2), Jinja (7), Namisindwa (1), Bududa (1), Kaberamaido (2), Soroti (3), Kaliro(4), Amuria (3)
Kabarole (10), Hoima (6), Kasese (23), Rubanda (4), Ntungamo (1), Mbarara (3), Kyegegwa (2), Kabale (5), Ibanda (1), Hoima (6), Ntoroko (2), Kigezi (1), Fort Portal (1), Isiginro (2), Kiryandogo (1)
Lira (3), Kotido (5), Arua (2), Abim (5), Moroto (12), Kaabong (5), Napak (5), Nakapiripirit (5), Gulu (18), Amudat (12), Apac (1), Nebbi (1), Karenga (5), Nabilatuk (7)
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 last two weeks of April 2023, two (02) articles, one (01) press release and one (01) photo essay were published on the UNICEF Uganda website.
| Story link & title | Search Engine Optimization (SEO)[1] | Comments | |
| 1. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/village-health-teams-ugandas-ntungamo-district-lead-fight-against-malaria Village Health Teams in Uganda’s Ntungamo District lead the fight against Malaria | PhotosGood use of keywords | 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 |
| 1. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/village-health-teams-ugandas-ntungamo-district-lead-fight-against-malaria Village Health Teams in Uganda’s Ntungamo District lead the fight against Malaria | PhotosGood use of keywords | 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 |
| 2. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/madudu-community-finds-hope-sustainable-water-system-amid-wash-crisis Madudu community finds hope in sustainable water system amid WASH crisis | PhotosGood use of keywords | 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 |
| 3. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/press-releases/japan-contributes-us79-million-support-efforts-towards-refugees-and-host-communities Japan contributes US$7.9 million to support efforts towards refugees and host communities in Uganda and food and nutrition security in Karamoja sub-region | PhotosGood use of keywords s | 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 |
| 4. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/ugandas-ntungamo-district-tackles-through-various-interventions Uganda’s Ntungamo District tackles through various interventions | PhotosKey words | A photo is worth thousand wordsExploit other visuals like graphics and animations whenever possible. Multimedia articles are not only easy to understand but also stand out in online searches |
The press release (https://www.unicef.org/uganda/press-releases/japan-contributes-us79-million-support-efforts-towards-refugees-and-host-communities Japan contributes US$7.9 million to support efforts towards refugees and host communities in Uganda and food and nutrition security in Karamoja sub-region) was covered by three (03) online publications.
Below are the publications that reported on the press release published on the UNICEF website
- UBC TV Uganda (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf6qKeXs_PU SUPPORTING REFUGEE COMMUNITIES; JAPANESE GOVT. DONATES 7.9 MILLION DOLLARS TO UGANDA)
- Uganda Radio Network (https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/japan-gives-ugx-29-5b-for-refugees-host-communities Japan Gives UGX 29.5B for Refugees, Host Communities)
- Relief Web
(https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/japan-contributes-us-79-million-support-efforts-towards-refugees-and-host-communities-uganda-and-food-and-nutrition-security-karamoja-sub-region Japan contributes US$ 7.9 million to support efforts towards refugees and host communities in Uganda and food and nutrition security in Karamoja sub-region)
UNICEF MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF was mentioned 41 times in 696 children-related articles in online publications. Below are links to the articles where UNICEF was mentioned during the last two weeks of April 2023:
EDUCATION
- https://www.independent.co.ug/luwero-mtn-uganda-hands-over-a-new-fully-equipped-three-classroom-block-at-peas-horizon-high-school/ LUWERO: MTN Uganda hands over a new fully equipped three-classroom block at PEAS Horizon High School
- https://www.telecompaper.com/news/mtn-uganda-donates-classroom-block-to-school-in-luwero-district–1459932 MTN Uganda donates Classroom block to school in Luwero district
- https://www.galaxyfm.co.ug/2023/04/15/mtn-uganda-hands-over-a-new-fully-equipped-three-classroom-block-at-peas-horizon-high-school-in-luwero-district/ MTN Uganda hands over a new fully equipped three-classroom block at PEAS Horizon High School in Luwero District
- https://www.howwe.ug/news/business/35512/luwero-mtn-uganda-hands-over-a-new-fully-equipped-three-classroom-block-at-peas-horizon-high-school LUWERO: MTN Uganda hands over a new fully equipped three-classroom block at PEAS Horizon High School
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/education/access-to-safe-drinking-water-remains-a-dream-for-most-schools-4211060 Access to safe drinking water remains a dream for most schools
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/education/one-million-children-drop-out-before-ple-159011 One million children drop out before PLE
- https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/273792501/new-unicef-report-shows-90-per-cent-of-adolescent-girls-in-low-income-economies-are-offline New UNICEF report shows 90 per cent of adolescent girls in low-income economies are offline
- https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/90-of-girls-women-in-poor-countries-are-offline-report.html 90% of girls and women in poor countries are offline – Report
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/90-percent-of-adolescent-girls-woman-cant-access-internet-unicef 90 Percent of Adolescent Girls, Woman Can’t Access Internet-UNICEF
- https://softpower.ug/airtel-africa-group-ceo-ogunsanya-pledges-accelerated-access-to-digital-learning/ Airtel Africa Group CEO Ogunsanya Pledges Accelerated Access to Digital Learning
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/science/90-of-adolescent-girls-young-women-dont-use-i-159114 90% of adolescent girls, young women don’t use internet in low-income countries
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhbEl_Lwyy4 Airtel ekwataganye naba UNICEF okuwa abayizi Yintaneeti ey’obwerere
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCXkOmEYJdo AIRTEL & UNICEF COMMIT TO DELIVER THROUGH DIGITAL LEARNING
- https://www.pmldaily.com/news/2023/04/90-adolescent-girls-young-women-in-low-income-countries-offline-unicef.html 90% adolescent girls, young women in low-income countries offline – UNICEF
- https://pctechmag.com/2023/04/airtel-unicef-to-accelerate-access-to-education-through-digital-learning/ Airtel, UNICEF to Accelerate Access to Education Through Digital Learning
IMMUNIZATION / VACCINATION
- https://www.thedailystar.net/star-health/news/uganda-introduced-life-saving-yellow-fever-vaccine-routine-immunisation-programme-3297891 Uganda introduced life-saving yellow fever vaccine into routine immunisation programme
- https://ug.usembassy.gov/remarks-by-u-s-deputy-chief-of-mission-william-d-bent-at-the-55th-stop-transmission-of-polio-stop-training/ Remarks by U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission William D. Bent at the 55th Stop Transmission of Polio (STOP) training
- https://www.independent.co.ug/unicef-calls-for-concerted-efforts-to-address-routine-immunization/ UNICEF calls for concerted efforts to address routine immunization
- https://eagle.co.ug/2023/04/20/africa-needs-to-vaccinate-33-million-children-to-put-progress-back-on-track.html Africa needs to vaccinate 33 million children to put progress back on track
- https://www.independent.co.ug/unicef-report-finds-declining-confidence-in-childhood-vaccines-during-pandemic/ UNICEF report finds declining confidence in childhood vaccines during pandemic
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/gavi-in-new-bid-to-reach-unvaccinated-ugandan-children- Gavi in New Bid to Reach Unvaccinated Ugandan Children
- https://articles.nigeriahealthwatch.com/village-health-teams-ensuring-access-to-life-saving-vaccines-in-ugandas-kyegegwa-district/ Village Health Teams: Ensuring Access to Life-Saving Vaccines in Uganda’s Kyegegwa District
- https://allafrica.com/stories/202304240616.html Uganda: Village Health Teams – Ensuring Access to Life-Saving Vaccines in Uganda’s Kyegegwa District
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/health/immunizing-children-its-catch-up-time-after-p-158871 Immunizing children: It’s catch-up time after pandemic slowdown
- https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/04/immunisation-africa-must-vaccinate-33m-children-to-meet-global-target-who/ Immunisation: Africa must vaccinate 33m children to meet global target — WHO
- http://wam.ae/en/details/1395303150734 World Immunisation Week sees ‘big catch-up’ to get vaccines back on track
- https://dailytimes.com.pk/1086901/who-urges-collective-action-to-promote-use-of-covid-19-vaccines/ WHO urges collective action to promote use of COVID-19 vaccines
- https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/who-launches-the-big-catch-up-to-restore-immunisation-progress-lost-during-pandemic-88958 WHO launches ‘The Big Catch-Up’ to restore immunisation progress lost during pandemic
- https://www.opinionnigeria.com/breaking-immunisation-africa-must-vaccinate-33m-children-to-meet-global-target-who/ [BREAKING] Immunisation: Africa must vaccinate 33m children to meet global target
- https://independent.ng/unicef-stresses-need-to-educate-sensitize-parents-n-importance-of-mmunization/ UNICEF Stresses Need To Educate, Sensitize Parents n Importance Of immunization
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/no-child-should-suffer-from-vaccine-preventab-159143 No child should suffer from vaccine-preventable disease – MOH
OTHER MENTIONS
- https://www.pmldaily.com/news/2023/04/hopes-restored-as-opportunity-bank-finca-get-ugx1-8bn-refugee-financing-grant.html Hopes restored as Opportunity Bank, FINCA get UGX1.8bn refugee financing grant
- https://allafrica.com/stories/202304270351.html Uganda: FGM Still Rampant in Amudat District Despite Ban
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/un-ngos-warn-of-rising-hunger-deaths-in-africa-4215576 UN, NGOs, warn of rising hunger deaths in Africa
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/youth-action-groups-make-strides-in-combating-159115 Youth action groups make strides in combating FGM in Amudat
- https://nilepost.co.ug/2023/04/27/fgm-still-rampant-in-amudat-district-despite-ban/ FGM still rampant in Amudat district despite ban
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf6qKeXs_PU SUPPORTING REFUGEE COMMUNITIES; JAPANESE GOVT. DONATES 7.9 MILLION DOLLARS TO UGANDA
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/japan-gives-ugx-29-5b-for-refugees-host-communities Japan Gives UGX 29.5B for Refugees, Host Communities
- https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/japan-contributes-us-79-million-support-efforts-towards-refugees-and-host-communities-uganda-and-food-and-nutrition-security-karamoja-sub-region Japan contributes US$ 7.9 million to support efforts towards refugees and host communities in Uganda and food and nutrition security in Karamoja sub-region
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/letters/every-child-deserves-a-safe-healthy-and-fulfilling-life-4200028 Every child deserves a safe, healthy, and fulfilling life
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-un-disagree-on-maternal-deaths-figures-4210360 Govt, UN disagree on maternal deaths figures
COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) was the most mentioned comparator in 39 articles, followed by, the Ministry of Health (MOH) 28 World Health Organization (WHO) with 26 among other comparators.Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
| COMPARATOR | NUMBER OF MENTIONS |
| Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) | 39 |
| Ministry of Health (MOH) | 28 |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 26 |
| United Nations (UN) | 7 |
| United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) | 6 |
| Rotary International | 4 |
| Uganda Red Cross Society | 3 |
| United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) | 3 |
| European Union | 2 |
| Gavi | 2 |
| USAID | 2 |
| UHRC | 2 |
| Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development | 1 |
| UNAID | 1 |
| Save the children | 1 |
| UNDP | 1 |
| ActionAid | 1 |
| UNESCO | 1 |
| WFP | 1 |
| AU | 1 |
| UNEPI | 1 |
| AMREF | 1 |
| National Children Authority | 1 |
SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHTS 15TH – 28TH APRIL 2023
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, Nile Post, NBS TV and Daily Monitor posted the most on children. Posting was mainly on aspects of immunization, vaccination, education, girl child, schools, accidents, pediatrics, child malnutrition, homosexuality in schools, teaching, child murder, child health, teachers, menstrual health, school feeding, 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 in the last two weeks of April:
