PREPARED BY
OVERVIEW
This report presents findings from the analysis of the coverage of children-related issues in Uganda for the period 15th – 28th July 2023 by various online media platforms. The main method used for analysis was content analysis.
Overall, the analyzed data results show that 478 articles were published online on children and children-related issues in Uganda, indicating an increase of 20 articles from those published during the first two weeks of July 2023.
One hundred ninety-four (194) articles focused on keeping children Safe[1], 167 on keeping children Alive[2], and 117 were on keeping children Learning[3].
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA
(JULY 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 and children-related issues in online platforms every two weeks. This report presents findings on how online publications covered children-related issues for the last two weeks of July 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, NTV Uganda, Daily Express, Mazima News, PML Daily, Nile Post, The Independent, and Various YouTube Channels like 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 478 articles from online publications reporting children and children-related issues during the last two weeks of July 2023 (15th – 28th) indicating an increase of 20 articles from those recorded during the first two weeks of July 2023. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication, and category.
- CATEGORIES
One hundred ninety-four (194) articles were centered on keeping children safe.
Issues on keeping children learning were reported in 117 articles. Articles on keeping children alive were in 167 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, 54 articles had no authors specified.
SENTIMENT
We found that 47% of the articles on children and children related issues published online during the last two weeks of July 2023 had a Positive sentiment[4]. Children-related articles with neutral sentiment were the least in number.
Out of the 184 children-related articles we recorded having a negative sentiment, three (03) articlesmentioned UNICEF. The mentions were in the articles below;
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/healthy-living/14-million-ugandans-underfed-wfp-says–4313314 14 million Ugandans underfed, WFP says
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/tooro-battles-malnutrition-crisis-4317812 Tooro battles malnutrition crisis
- https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/uganda-cholera-outbreak-media-moh-who-unicefecho-daily-flash-27-july-2023 Uganda – Cholera Outbreak (media, MoH, WHO, UNICEF)(ECHO Daily Flash of 27 July 2023)
- SHARE OF VOICE
The majority (87.4%) of the articles recorded during the last two weeks of July 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 articles online during the period 14th – 28th July 2023
- MESSAGE FIDELITY
The majority (87%) of the children and children-related articles recorded during the last two weeks of July 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 the authors. Such articles are credible and trusted by content consumers.
- NATURE OF QUOTES
Out of the 478 children-related articles we recorded from online publications, 395 had direct quotes, indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news. Five (05) articles had no quotes at all.
- USE OF VISUALS
In the articles recorded during this period, all 478 articleshadaudio–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 articles captured, we noted that Schools (104) was the most covered issue during this period. This was followed by:
- Child Protection (57)
- Child Health (52)
- Education (47)
- Parenting (45)
- Child Death (43)
- Food and Nutrition (27)
- Defilement (23)
- Malaria (18)
- Cholera Outbreak (18)
- Infant Mortality (16)
- Maternal health (14)
- Teachers (10)
- Note that some articles covered more than one issue
- ARTICLES DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (322) of the articles recorded were from the Central Region, while the Northern Region had the fewest articles at 53, as represented on the graph below.
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.
Kampala (181), Luwero (8), Wakiso (20), Mukono (43), Mpigi (28), Masaka (8), Mityana (3), Bukomansimbi (5), Butambala (1), Kayunga (21), Buikwe (2), Rakai (2), Butambala (1)
Jinja (8), Kamuli (7), Soroti (2), Kween (1), Bukedi (3), Madi Okollo (1), Nebbi (1), Zombo (3), Mbale (2), Buyende (2), Bugiri (5), Serere (1), Iganga (5), Budaka (4), Busia (7), Tororo (3), Manafwa (1)
Kanungu (6), Kikuube (1), Kasese (4), Kabarole (4), Rukungiri (1), Rwampara (2), Bushenyi (1), Isingiro (5), Kagadi (1), Kabale (5), Rwampara (2), Kakumiro (8), Masindi (5), Mbarara (7), Kagadi (1), Rubirizi (1)
Gulu (7), Katakwi (3), Terego (2), Yumbe (9), Moroto (5), Lira (4), Amuria (1), Kole (1), Kapelabyong (2), Kumi (2), Arua (2), Oyam (1), Dokolo, (1), Otuke (1), Kwania(1), Omoro (1), Kapchorwa (1), Apac (2), Adjumani (1), Moyo (1),
Kaabong (1), Amudat (1), Kotido (1), Nabilatuk (1), Nakapiripirit (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 last two weeks of July 2023, no press releases and articles were captured as published on the UNICEF Uganda website.
- UNICEF UGANDA MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF Uganda was mentioned 14 times in 478 children-related articles in online publications. Below are links to the articles where UNICEF Uganda was mentioned during the last two weeks of July 2023:
MALARIA VACCINE
- https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2023/7/14/23794985/africa-malaria-vaccines-gavi-immunization-campaign-church-donation-three-million-dollars Church donates $3 million for malaria vaccination campaign in Africa
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/unicefusa/2023/07/17/unicef-prepares-major-rollout-of-lifesaving-malaria-vaccine/?sh=7c2298f07497 UNICEF Prepares Major Rollout Of Lifesaving Malaria Vaccine
- https://reliefweb.int/report/world/gavi-must-do-more-whounicef-estimates-show-slow-childhood-vaccination-recovery Gavi must do more as WHO/UNICEF estimates show slow childhood vaccination recovery
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ahf-applauds-continued-effort-combat-050000973.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJLCiJGxtHJS3d2oxvp9hfRq1nicz87mAUYuCzLxaIzEmoNk7rMpNCkz97KLiGQ1t6hMzO-Fe7Es7yIV1L7e9zU5Fz0aW8VWwDJRu8IDQ8t–e6irDQyNn8MgdHrlJDxlVplnUoIh87YaS6T2OU-8cS5JcYXz0tZE_pq1lB2YbKR AHF Applauds Continued Effort to Combat Malaria in Africa
- https://hejnu.ug/malaria-vaccine-included-in-routine-immunization-in-uganda/ MALARIA VACCINE INCLUDED IN ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION IN UGANDA
- https://www.pharmiweb.com/press-release/2023-07-20/ahf-applauds-continued-effort-to-combat-malaria-in-africa AHF Applauds Continued Effort to Combat Malaria in Africa
EDUCATION
- https://reliefweb.int/report/cameroon/accelerating-inclusion-refugee-children-what-we-have-learned-and-what-it-takes Accelerating inclusion of refugee children: What we have learned and what it takes
- https://www.independent.co.ug/now-corporates-are-paving-the-way-for-africas-education/ Now corporates are paving the way for Africa’s education.
MALNUTRITION
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/healthy-living/14-million-ugandans-underfed-wfp-says–4313314 14 million Ugandans underfed, WFP says
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/tooro-battles-malnutrition-crisis-4317812 Tooro battles malnutrition crisis
- https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/mothers-community-volunteers-first-line-defense-against-child-malnutrition MOTHERS, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST CHILD MALNUTRITION
OTHER MENTIONS
- https://allafrica.com/stories/202307180188.html Africa: How Empowering Girls and Women Can Change the Future of Africa
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/editorial/we-need-to-end-child-torture-now-4311884 We need to end child torture now
- https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/uganda-cholera-outbreak-media-moh-who-unicefecho-daily-flash-27-july-2023 Uganda – Cholera Outbreak (media, MoH, WHO, UNICEF)(ECHO Daily Flash of 27 July 2023)
- COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The Ministry of Health (MOH) was the most mentioned comparator in 63 articles, followed by, The Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) 20, The World Health Organization (WHO) 21, and GAVI 13, among other comparators.
Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
| COMPARATOR | NUMBER OF MENTIONS |
| Ministry of Health (MOH) | 63 |
| Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) | 26 |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 21 |
| GAVI | 13 |
| United Nations | 9 |
| Rotary International | 5 |
| UNFPA | 5 |
| Save the Children | 6 |
| UNHCR | 2 |
| WFP | 2 |
| Action Against Hunger | 1 |
| Ministry of Gender Labour Social Development (MGLSD) | 3 |
| UWESO | 3 |
| ILO | 1 |
| Child Fund | 1 |
| World Bank | 2 |
| UN Women | 2 |
| National Children Authority | 1 |
| UWOPA | 1 |
| UNEPI | 1 |
| UNAIDS | 2 |
| CEHURD | 1 |
| UCRNN | 1 |
| Mild May | 1 |
- SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHTS 14TH – 28TH JULY 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, Nile Post, NBS TV and Daily Monitor posted the most on children. Posting was mainly on aspects of Kasese school terror attack, immunization, defilement, vaccination, education, girl child, schools, accidents, pediatrics, child malnutrition, homosexuality in schools, teaching, child murder, child health, teachers, menstrual health, menstrual hygiene, 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 July:
[1] 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.
[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]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.
[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.
