Prepared by
OVERVIEW
This report presents findings from the analysis of the coverage of children-related issues in Uganda for the period 15th – 28th March 2024 by various online media platforms. The main method used for analysis was content analysis.
Overall, the analyzed data results show that 518 articles were published online on children and children-related issues in Uganda, indicating an increase of 34 articles from those published during the first two weeks of March 2024.
Two hundred seventeen (217) articles focused on keeping children Learning[1], 127 on keeping children alive[2], and 174 were on keeping children Safe[3].
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA (MARCH 15TH – 28TH 2024)
- INTRODUCTION
Ultimate Multimedia Consult (UMC) is required to present to UNICEF Uganda every two weeks an analysis of editorial and journalistic reporting trends on children and children-related issues in Uganda as published on online platforms. This report presents findings on how online publications covered children-related issues for the last two weeks of March 2024.
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 analysed 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, NTV Uganda, Daily Express, Mazima News, PML Daily, Nile Post, The Independent, and Various YouTube Channels like BBS Terefayina, NTV Uganda, UBC TV, Spark TV, Bukedde TV, NBS TV, Urban TV among others, as well as websites based in other countries. The analysed data was accessed from online publications/platforms.
- ONLINE ANALYSIS
We captured 518 articles from online publications reporting children and children-related issues in Uganda during the last two weeks of March 2024 (15th – 28th), indicating an increase of 34 articles from those recorded during the first two weeks of March 2024. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication and category.
- CATEGORIES
Two hundred seventeen (217) articles were centered on keeping children learning
Issues related to keeping children alive were reported in 127 articles. Articles on keeping children safe were in 174 articles.
- GENDER OF AUTHORS
During the period under review, male authors reported and/or wrote most articles. While some articles had more than one author, 73 articles had no authors specified.
SENTIMENT
We found that 41% of the articles on children and children related issues published online during the last two weeks of March 2024 had a Positive sentiment[4]. Children-related articles with neutral sentiment were the least in number.
Out of the 177 children-related articles we recorded having a negative sentiment, three (03) mentioned UNICEF. The mentions are in the articles below;
- https://observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/80878-four-mbarara-district-land-titles-go-missing#google_vignette Four Mbarara district land titles go missing
- https://redpepper.co.ug/missing-mbarara-district-land-titles-saga-deepens/134427/amp/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=missing-mbarara-district-land-titles-saga-deepens Missing Mbarara district land titles saga deepens
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/over-8-000-tororo-residents-risk-contracting-waterborne-diseases-4562044 Over 8,000 Tororo residents risk contracting waterborne diseases
- SHARE OF VOICE
The majority (58%) of the articles recorded during the last two weeks of March 2024 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 articles online during the period 15th – 28th March 2024
- MESSAGE FIDELITY
The majority (80%) of the children and children-related articles recorded during the last two weeks of March 2024 had high message fidelity. This implies that the messages were laid out clearly through the use of facts, statistics, audio-visuals and sources, making it easy for users to understand them as intended by the authors. Such articles are credible and trusted by content consumers.
- NATURE OF QUOTES
Out of the 518 children-related articles we recorded from online publications, 477 had direct quotes, indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news.
- USE OF VISUALS
In the articles recorded during this period, 514 articleshadaudio–visuals (photos, videos, audio, and graphics), as shown below. Four (04) articles had no visuals at all
- 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 stories captured, we noted that the topic of education was the most covered (108 times) during this period. This was followed by:
| 58 | Schools | |
| 50 | Child death | |
| 41 | WASH | |
| 40 | Child health | |
| 27 | Teachers | |
| 26 | Child protection | |
| 23 | School fires | |
| 16 | Girl child | |
| 16 | UCE | |
| 14 | Redeye outbreak | |
| 14 | PLE | |
| 13 | Sports | |
| 13 | Exams |
- Note that some stories covered more than one issue.
- STORY DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (196) of the stories recorded were from the Central region while the Northern Region had the least stories at 26 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.
Kampala (174), Wakiso (4), Mukono (6), Mpigi (3), Kayunga (1), Lwengo (4), Sembabule (2), Butambala (1), Mubende (1)
• Kyankwanzi (3)
Busia (25), Jinja (7), Butaleja (5), Tororo (1), Mbale (1), Budaka (1), Buyende (1), Kaliro (1), Iganga (1), Mayuge (1), Sironko (2), Bukedea (1), Soroti (4), Katakwi (2), Kaberamaido (1), Bulambuli (1)
Kabale (6), Mbarara (4), Kasese (1), Ntungamo (2), Rukungiri (5), Buliisa (1), Hoima (3), Kyenjojo (1), Kakumiro (5), Kagadi (5), Kikuube (3)
• Kiryandongo (1)
Gulu (9), Arua (5), Yumbe (5), Adjumani (1), Nwoya (1), Napak (2), Kaabong(1), Amudat (1), Dokolo (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. You did not publish any articles during the last two weeks of March 2024.
- UNICEF UGANDA MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF Uganda was mentioned 24 times in 518 children andchildren-related articles in online publications. Below are links to the articles where UNICEF Uganda was mentioned.
WASH
- https://ankoletimes.co.ug/news/health/government-launches-5-million-project-to-combat-open-defecation/ Government Launches $5 Million Project to Combat Open Defecation
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-unveils-shs19b-project-to-stop-open-defecation-4557116 Govt unveils Shs19b project to stop open defecation
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/letters/community-engagement-and-participation-in-water-projects-is-crucial-4558780 Community engagement and participation in water projects is crucial
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOKuHuna704 Sanitation fund and Week launch
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/over-8-000-tororo-residents-risk-contracting-waterborne-diseases-4562044 Over 8,000 Tororo residents risk contracting waterborne diseases
- https://www.bakersfield.com/ap/news/xylem-unicef-deepen-partnership-to-deliver-vital-water-solutions-in-horn-of-africa/article_efdd2097-e2d8-5273-9505-a6266660a929.html Xylem, UNICEF Deepen Partnership to Deliver Vital Water Solutions in Horn of Africa
- https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/unicef-uganda-humanitarian-situation-report-no-1-january-february-2024 UNICEF Uganda Humanitarian Situation Report No. 1: January-February 2024
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240326335799/en/Xylem-UNICEF-Deepen-Partnership-to-Deliver-Vital-Water-Solutions-in-Horn-of-Africa Xylem, UNICEF Deepen Partnership to Deliver Vital Water Solutions in Horn of Africa
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/xylem-unicef-deepen-partnership-deliver-100000796.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAA4NRBLjSOEcAvX8iNR1NhW3n6iD1Tl30MN84kH5BmQDqaf50JHo7q4me3Vk9PvVJR_Vrwx6seJrcKWlGwzu0v5PU1Oqm4IFcfHsE5Yg_MRJyaKy7Nm_sFl0Yj58VapKmIZieSAw87_UkxVxh9WEflCcZ6JUMMGYDtC1LHwwHZaz Xylem, UNICEF Deepen Partnership to Deliver Vital Water Solutions in Horn of Africa
- https://examiner.co.ug/health/govt-announces-shs19b-project-to-end-open-defecation/#google_vignette Gov’t announces Shs19b project to end open defecation
- https://www.worldbusinessoutlook.com/xylem-and-unicef-collaborate-to-provide-vital-water-solutions-in-horn-of-africa/ Xylem and UNICEF collaborate
- to provide vital water solutions in Horn of Africa
- https://h2oglobalnews.com/xylem-unicef-deepen-partnership-to-deliver-vital-water-solutions-in-horn-of-africa/ Xylem, UNICEF Deepen Partnership to Deliver Vital Water Solutions in Horn of Africa
- https://waterwastewaterasia.com/xylem-partners-with-unicef-to-deliver-water-solutions-in-horn-of-africa/ Xylem partners with UNICEF to deliver water solutions in Horn of Africa
- https://www.placera.se/placera/pressmeddelanden/2024/03/26/xylem-xylem-unicef-deepen-partnership-to-deliver-vital-water-solutions-in-horn-of-africa.html Xylem, UNICEF Deepen Partnership to Deliver Vital Water Solutions in Horn of Africa
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/editorial/better-sanitation-is-critical-to-our-health-4559664 Better sanitation is critical to our health
OTHER MENTIONS
- https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/vaccination-and-supportive-care-stave-deaths-ugandan-measles-outbreak Vaccination and supportive care stave off deaths in Ugandan measles outbreak
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/govt-to-launch-braille-version-of-citizens-gu-NV_183831 Gov’t to launch braille version of citizen’s guide to National Budget
- https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/food-security-and-nutrition-assessment-refugee-settlements-refugee-host-districts-and-kampala-december-2023 Food Security and Nutrition Assessment in Refugee Settlements, Refugee Host Districts, and Kampala, December 2023
- https://www.independent.co.ug/first-lady-museveni-renews-commitment-to-protect-girls-rights/ First Lady Museveni renews commitment to protect girls’ rights
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/education/why-student-sexual-violence-is-eating-busogas-NV_184029 Why student sexual violence is eating Busoga’s Mayuge away
- https://borgenproject.org/education-in-uganda-the-hurdles-and-progress/ EDUCATION IN UGANDA: THE HURDLES AND PROGRESS
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/condemned-terego-classroom-block-renovated-after-78-years–4568520 Condemned Terego classroom block renovated after 78 yearshttps://observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/80878-four-mbarara-district-land-titles-go-missing#google_vignette Four Mbarara district land titles go missing
- https://redpepper.co.ug/missing-mbarara-district-land-titles-saga-deepens/134427/amp/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=missing-mbarara-district-land-titles-saga-deepens Missing Mbarara district land titles saga deepens
- COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) was the most mentioned comparator in 41 stories, followed by the Ministry of Health with 36, among other comparators.
Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
| 41 | MOES |
| 36 | MOH |
| 7 | Rotary International |
| 4 | UNFPA |
| 2 | UNOPS |
| 1 | FAO |
| 1 | EU |
| 1 | WFP |
| 1 | USAID |
| 1 | UNAIDS |
- SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHTS 15th – 28th MARCH 2024
x
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, Urban TV and Daily Monitor posted the most on children. Posting was mainly on aspects of, School fire, campaigns to help the boy child, WASH, defilement, teachers, TVET, vaccination, seed schools, Child-murder, maternal mortality, child-death, education, schools, child health, teenage pregnancy and other sex-related offences against children, reproductive health, maternal and neonatal health, child protection, parenting violence against children, among others. Below are snippets from and links to the posts captured from social media in the last two weeks of March 2024:
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/videos/1098591288024530
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/838176465019606
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/838107675026485
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/838094275027825
https://twitter.com/ugandarn/status/1773223218611990639?s=20
[1] Reports categorized as such may connote content published in a context of improving and addressing the issues concerning both the informal and formal education of a child, including early and progressive learning.
[2] This is concerned with articles and journalistic content that address the health of children in Uganda. It may also entail articles that look at the welfare of pregnant mothers or maternal health in general.
[3] Articles 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 articles include any content that addresses issues that threaten the lives of children like physical assault, psychosocial injury and threat.
[4] Sentiment (also known as tonality) is used to measure how messages contained in children related articles 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.
