PREPARED BY
OVERVIEW
This report presents findings from the analysis of the coverage of children-related issues in Uganda for the period 1st-14th April 2024 by various online media platforms. The main method used for analysis was content analysis.
Overall, the analyzed data results show that 403 articles were published online on children and children-related issues in Uganda, indicating a decrease of 115 articles from those published during the last two weeks of March 2024.
One hundred forty-three (143) articles focused on keeping children Learning, 132 on keeping children alive, and 128 were on keeping children Safe.
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA (APRIL 1ST – 14TH 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 first two weeks of April 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 403 articles from online publications reporting children and children-related issues in Uganda during the first two weeks of April 2024 (1st – 14th), indicating a decrease of 115 articles from those recorded during the last two weeks of March 2024. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication and category.
- CATEGORIES
One hundred forty-three (143) articles were centered on keeping children learning. Issues related to keeping children alive were reported in 132 articles. Articles on keeping children safe were in 128 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, 51 articles had no authors specified.
SENTIMENT
We found that 48% of the articles on children and children related issues published online during the first two weeks of April 2024 had a Positive sentiment. Children-related articles with neutral sentiment were the least in number.
Out of the 144 children-related articles we recorded having a negative sentiment, none mentioned UNICEF.
- SHARE OF VOICE
The majority (64%) of the articles recorded during the first two weeks of April 2024 had a high share of voice 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 1st – 14th April 2024
- MESSAGE FIDELITY
The majority (80%) of the children and children-related articles recorded during the first two weeks of April 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 403 children-related articles we recorded from online publications, 357 had direct quotes, indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news.
- USE OF VISUALS
In the articles recorded during this period, all 403 articles had audio–visuals (photos, videos, audio, and graphics), as shown below.
It should be noted that articles with visuals are understood much better than those without.
- 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 (110 times) during this period. This was followed by:
| 61 | Schools | ||
| 45 | Child death | ||
| 41 | WASH | ||
| 40 | Child health | ||
| 27 | Teachers | ||
| 26 | Child protection | ||
| 23 | School fires | ||
| 16 | Girl child | ||
| 16 | UCE | ||
| 14 | Redeye outbreak | ||
- Note that some stories covered more than one issue.
- STORY DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (150) of the stories recorded were from the Central region while the Eastern region had the least stories at 44 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 90 stories.
Wakiso (19), Sembabule (1), Rakai (2), Mukono (4), Mubende (4), Mpigi (6), Mityana (2), Masaka (1), Lwengo (2), Luweero (10), Kayunga (1), Kassanda (2), Buvuma (1), Bukomansimbi (1), Buikwe (1)
Soroti (1), Tororo (1), Sironko (1), Serere (2), Namutumba (1), Mbale (5), Mayuge (13), Kibuku (2), Katakwi (1), Kasese (4), Kamuli (1), Kaliro (1), Jinja (3), Iganga (1), Buyende (1), Busia (3), Bugweri (1), Budaka (1), Bugembe (1)
Rukungiri (7), Rukiga (1), Rubanda (8), Ntungamo (6), Mbarara (8), Masindi (2), Kyegegwa (2), Kitagwenda (2), Kisoro (1), Kiryandongo (2), Kiruhura (1), Kikuube (3), Kamwenge (2), Kakumiro (2), Kagadi (1), Kabarole (1), Kabale (5), Isingiro (1), Ibanda (2), Hoima (6), Bushenyi (2), Bundibugyo (3), Ntoroko (1), Buliisa (9)
Zombo (5), Yumbe (3), Terergo (2), Pakwach (4), Pader (2), Obongi (1), Abim (2), Nwoya (9), Nebbi (6), Napak (1), Nakapiripirit (1), Moroto (1), Adjumani (1), Madi-Okollo (1), Lira (2), Lamwo (2), Kotido (4), Koboko (3), Kitgum (3), Kaabong (2), Gulu (4), Arua (12), Apac (3), Agago (1), Amuru (1), Amudat (1), Amolatar (2), Maracha (6
- 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 published four (04) articles during the first two weeks of April 2024.
| Story link & title | Search Engine Optimization (SEO) | Comments | |
1. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/ministry-gender-labour-and-social-development-and-unicef-discuss-solutions-youth-skilling Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and UNICEF discuss solutions for youth skilling | PhotosGood use of keywordsLinks | 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.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/sauti-116-bolsters-government-response-violence-and-abuse-homes-and-communities-uganda Sauti 116 bolsters government’s response to violence and abuse in homes and communities in Uganda | 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.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. |
| https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/remarks-unicef-representative-uganda-launch-audiovisual-version-budget Remarks by the UNICEF Representative to Uganda on the launch of audio/visual version of the budget. | 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.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. | |
| https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/families-forward-impact-girlsempoweringgirls Families Forward: Impact of GirlsEmpoweringGirls | 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.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 UGANDA MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF Uganda was mentioned 08 times in 403 children and children-related articles in online publications. Below are links to the articles where UNICEF Uganda was mentioned.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ1IsKVH7Sg Braille, audio visual tools now available for citizens’ budget guide
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DWRpz2WTjg COU Family TV Champions Child Safe Media With Safe Screens, Safe Kid’s Campaign
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om44bCEXpWE Ensuring inclusivity in the budget process – MOFPED, UNICEF launch braille & audio-visual guide
- https://chimpreports.com/citizens-guide-finance-ministry-launches-braille-audio-visual-versions-for-fy-2023-24-budget/ Citizen Guide: Finance Ministry launches Braille audio visual versions for fy 2023/2024 budget
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-gets-shs72m-braille-audio-visual-informants-4579884 Govt gets Shs72m braille, audio-visual informants
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/first-braille-audio-visual-versions-of-citize-NV_185198 First braille audio visual versions of citizen’s guide lauched
- https://www.independent.co.ug/visually-impaired-get-brail-version-of-budget-guide/ Visually impaired get brail version of budget guide
- https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/first-braille-audio-visual-versions-of-citizen-s-guide-launched/ar-BB1l6ISc First braille audio, visual versions of citizen’s guide launched
- COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) was the most mentioned comparator in 29 stories, followed by the Ministry of Health with 23, among other comparators.
Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
| 29 | MOES |
| 23 | MOH |
| 7 | Rotary International |
| 4 | UNFPA |
| 2 | UNOPS |
| 1 | FAO |
| 1 | EU |
| 1 | WFP |
| 1 | USAID |
| 1 | UNAIDS |
- SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHTS 1ST – 14TH 2024
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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, vaccination, pregnant-mothers, child-safety, defilement, teachers, schools, seed schools, Child-murder, maternal mortality, child-death, education, 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 first two weeks of April 2024:
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/videos/1339664386731518
