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 2023 by various online media platforms. The main method used was content analysis.
Overall, the analyzed data results show that 642 articles were published online on children and children-related issues in Uganda, indicating a decrease of 54 articles from those published during the first two weeks of March 2023.
Two hundred seventy-three (273) articles focused on keeping children[1] learning[2], 216 on keeping children safe[3] while 153 were on keeping children alive.
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA (MARCH 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 March 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, Chimp Reports, 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 642 articles from online publications reporting children-related issues during the last two weeks of March 2023 (15th – 28th) indicating a decrease of 54 articles from those recorded during the first two weeks of March 2023. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication, and category.
CATEGORIES
Two Hundred seventy-three (273) articles were centered on keeping children learning.
Issues on keeping children safe were reported in 216 articles.
Articles on keeping children alive were in 153 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, 120 articles had no authors specified.
SENTIMENT
We found 39% of the articles on children issues published online during the last two weeks of March 2023 had a positive sentiment[1]. Children-related articles with neutral sentiment were the least.
Out of the 242 children-related articles we recorded having negative sentiments, nine (09) articlesmentioned UNICEF. The mention was in the article below:
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/190-million-children-at-risk-from-water-related-crises-unicef- 190 million Children at Risk From Water-Related Crises: UNICEF
- https://www.busiweek.com/190-million-children-at-risk-from-water-related-crises-unicef/ 190 Million Children At Risk From Water-Related Crises: UNICEF
- https://mazima.ug/health/190-million-children-at-risk-from-water-related-crises-unicef/ 190 Million Children at Risk From Water-Related Crises: UNICEF
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/hospitals-warned-on-smuggling-of-food-supplements-4166452 Hospitals warned on smuggling of food supplements
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4kOGawiylE Hailstorm ravages school but spares lives
- https://hejnu.ug/190-million-children-at-risk-from-water-related-crises-unicef/ 190 MILLION CHILDREN AT RISK FROM WATER-RELATED CRISES: UNICEF
- https://www.ntv.co.ug/ug/news/national/a-dry-spell-leaves-katakwi-residents-their-animals-thirsty-4171930 A dry spell leaves Katakwi residents, their animals thirsty
- https://mg.co.za/opinion/2023-03-27-gender-equality-in-africa-is-really-300-years-away/ Gender equality in Africa is really ‘300 years away’
- https://www.independent.co.ug/global-water-crisis/ Global water crisis
SHARE OF VOICE
Majority of the articles recorded during the last two weeks of March 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 March 2023
MESSAGE FIDELITY
Majority (86%) of the children-related articles recorded during the last two weeks of March 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 642 children-related articles we recorded from online publications, 537 articles had direct quotes indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news. 10 articles had no quotes.
USE OF VISUALS
In the articles recorded during this period, 632 had audio–visuals (photos, videos, audio and graphics). Ten (10) articles had no audiovisuals as shown below.
Articles with visuals are understood much more 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 the issues of Education (117 times), and Schools (96 times) were the most covered during this period. These were followed by:
- Child protection (78)
- Homosexuality (65)
- Child health (60)
- Maternal health (20)
- WASH (18)
- Child trafficking (17)
- Children with disabilities (12)
- Reproductive Health (10)
- Girl Child (11)
- Food and Nutrition (17)
- Sports (17)
Note that some articles covered more than one issue
ARTICLES DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (174) of the articles recorded were from the Central region while the Western region had the least articles at 40 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 had the highest coverage with 74 articles.
Gomba (25), Wakiso (26), Mubende (4), Mukono (18), Mpigi (4), Masaka (7), Luweero (6), Kayunga (1), Buvuma (1), Bukomansimbi (4), Buikwe (1), Kalangala (3)
Bulambuli (1), Tororo (1), Sironko (1), Namutumba (6), Mbale (3), Kamuli (9), Kaliro (2), Jinja (9), Iganga (3), Busia (2), Bukedea (1), Butaleja (6), Butebo (3), Manafwa (1), Kalaki (4), Namisindwa (1), Bududa (1)
Rubanda (2), Ntungamo (1), Mbarara (1), Kyegegwa (1), Kisoro (2), Kiryandongo (1), Kiruhura (1), Kakumiro (1), Kabale (1), Ibanda (1), Hoima (6), Bushenyi (5), Bundibugyo (1), Ntoroko (1), Buliisa (6), Fort Portal (6), Kasese (6), Mitooma (1)
Gulu (10), Arua (5), Amudat (1), Nwoya (4) Terergo (1), Pakwach (1), Abim (2), Apac (1), Nebbi (2), Napak (2), Nakapiripirit (1), Moroto (1), Madi-Okollo (2), Lira (2), Lamwo (1), Kotido (2), Kitgum (3), Kaabong (1), 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.
During the last two weeks of March 2023, two (02) articles, and one (01) press release were published on the UNICEF Uganda website.
The press release, (https://www.unicef.org/uganda/press-releases/airtel-and-unicef-join-efforts-improve-access-digital-learning-underserved-schools Airtel and UNICEF join efforts to improve access to digital learning in underserved schools in Uganda) was covered by 10 online publications.
Below are the publications that reported on the press release published on the UNICEF website;
- https://eagle.co.ug/2023/03/22/unicef-airtel-partner-to-improve-access-to-digital-learning-in-underserved-schools-in-uganda.html UNICEF, Airtel partner to improve access to digital learning in underserved schools in Uganda (Eagle Online)
- https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2023-03-24-airtel-partners-with-unicef-to-improve-access-to-digital-learning/ Airtel partners with UNICEF to Improve Access to Digital learning (Capital FM)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiEKc77uO7A UNICEF, Airtel Uganda join hands to scale up online classes (NTV Uganda)
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/a/story/unicef-introduces-urban-rural-tele-teaching UNICEF Unveils Tele-Teaching Technology to Link Urban and Rural Schools (Uganda Radio Network)
- https://www.ntv.co.ug/ug/news/national/unicef-airtel-uganda-join-hands-to-scale-up-online-classes–4166374 UNICEF, Airtel Uganda join hands to scale up online classes (NTV Uganda)
- https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/airtel-and-unicef-join-efforts-improve-access-digital-learning-underserved-schools-uganda Airtel and UNICEF join efforts to improve access to digital learning in underserved schools in Uganda (Relief Web)
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/unicef-and-airtel-to-improve-access-to-digita-156542 UNICEF and Airtel to improve access to digital learning in rural schools (New Vision)
- https://chimpreports.com/unicef-partners-join-efforts-to-improve-digital-learning-in-schools/ UNICEF, Partners join efforts to improve digital learning in schools (Chimp Reports)
- https://www.telecompaper.com/news/airtel-uganda-and-unicef-to-connect-100-schools-to-web–1457631 Airtel Uganda and Unicef to connect 100 schools to web (Telecom Paper)
- https://www.pmldaily.com/news/2023/03/airtel-unicef-sign-partnership-to-accelerate-digital-learning-in-un-deserved-schools-in-uganda.html Airtel, UNICEF sign partnership to accelerate digital learning in un-deserved schools in Uganda (PML Daily)
- https://www.independent.co.ug/unicef-unveils-tele-teaching-technology-to-ugandan-schools/ UNICEF unveils tele-teaching technology to Ugandan schools (The Independent)
UNICEF MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF was mentioned 37 times in 642 children-related articles in online publications. Below are links to the articles where UNICEF was mentioned during the last two weeks of March 2023:
EDUCATION
- https://eagle.co.ug/2023/03/22/unicef-airtel-partner-to-improve-access-to-digital-learning-in-underserved-schools-in-uganda.html UNICEF, Airtel partner to improve access to digital learning in underserved schools in Uganda
- https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2023-03-24-airtel-partners-with-unicef-to-improve-access-to-digital-learning/ Airtel partners with UNICEF to Improve Access to Digital learning
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiEKc77uO7A UNICEF, Airtel Uganda join hands to scale up online classes
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/a/story/unicef-introduces-urban-rural-tele-teaching UNICEF Unveils Tele-Teaching Technology to Link Urban and Rural Schools
- https://www.ntv.co.ug/ug/news/national/unicef-airtel-uganda-join-hands-to-scale-up-online-classes–4166374 UNICEF, Airtel Uganda join hands to scale up online classes
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/unicef-and-airtel-to-improve-access-to-digita-156542 UNICEF and Airtel to improve access to digital learning in rural schools
- https://chimpreports.com/unicef-partners-join-efforts-to-improve-digital-learning-in-schools/ UNICEF, Partners join efforts to improve digital learning in schools
- https://www.telecompaper.com/news/airtel-uganda-and-unicef-to-connect-100-schools-to-web–1457631 Airtel Uganda and Unicef to connect 100 schools to web
- https://www.pmldaily.com/news/2023/03/airtel-unicef-sign-partnership-to-accelerate-digital-learning-in-un-deserved-schools-in-uganda.html Airtel, UNICEF sign partnership to accelerate digital learning in un-deserved schools in Uganda
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/learners-in-rural-schools-reap-from-digital-learning-4166434 Learners in rural schools reap from digital learning
- https://techjaja.com/the-voice-africa-to-debut-on-airtel-tv/ The Voice Africa to debut on Airtel TV
- https://www.independent.co.ug/unicef-unveils-tele-teaching-technology-to-ugandan-schools/ UNICEF unveils tele-teaching technology to Ugandan schools
- https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/airtel-and-unicef-join-efforts-improve-access-digital-learning-underserved-schools-uganda Airtel and UNICEF join efforts to improve access to digital learning in underserved schools in Uganda
- https://www.bukedde.co.ug/amawulire/133102123/batongozza-enkola-eyokusomesezza-ku-mutimbaga Batongozza enkola ey’okusomesezza ku mutimbagano
IMMUNIZATION
- https://www.independent.co.ug/uganda-adds-yellow-fever-vaccine-to-routine-immunization-schedule/ Uganda adds Yellow Fever Vaccine to routine immunization schedule
- https://eagle.co.ug/2023/03/16/uganda-introduces-yellow-fever-vaccine-into-routine-immunization-programme.html Uganda introduces yellow fever vaccine into routine immunization programme
- https://www.independent.co.ug/push-for-african-vaccine-independence/ Push for African vaccine independence
- https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/we-need-reach-every-child-how-ugandas-routine-immunisation-program-climbed-back “We need to reach every child”: How Uganda’s routine immunisation program climbed back from COVID-19
WASH
- https://reliefweb.int/report/world/un-water-conference-african-heads-state-announce-presidential-compacts-water-and-sanitation At the UN Water Conference, African Heads of State Announce Presidential Compacts on Water and Sanitation
- https://hejnu.ug/190-million-children-at-risk-from-water-related-crises-unicef/ 190 MILLION CHILDREN AT RISK FROM WATER-RELATED CRISES: UNICEF
- https://www.ntv.co.ug/ug/news/national/a-dry-spell-leaves-katakwi-residents-their-animals-thirsty-4171930 A dry spell leaves Katakwi residents, their animals thirsty
- https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2023/03/win-for-women-girls-in-oyugis-as-rotary-club-sinks-borehole-to-end-water-crisis-and-mitigate-climate-change/ Big Win For Women, Girls In Oyugis As Rotary Club Sinks Borehole To End Water Crisis And Mitigate Climate Change
- https://www.independent.co.ug/global-water-crisis/ Global water crisis
- https://www.investorsobserver.com/news/qm-pr/7964923616685116 Girl Rising Assembles Young Climate Leaders to Highlight Connections Between Gender Inequity and Water Crises
- https://mazima.ug/health/190-million-children-at-risk-from-water-related-crises-unicef/ 190 Million Children at Risk From Water-Related Crises: UNICEF
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/190-million-children-at-risk-from-water-related-crises-unicef- 190 Million Children at Risk From Water-Related Crises: UNICEF
- https://www.busiweek.com/190-million-children-at-risk-from-water-related-crises-unicef/ 190 Million Children At Risk From Water-Related Crises: UNICEF
OTHER MENTIONS
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/blogs/why-uganda-need-dialogue-on-land-food-securit-156078 Why Uganda need dialogue on land, food security, and agriculture
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/life/tech-creating-opportunities-for-females-4161458 Tech: Creating opportunities for females
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/healthy-living/why-pregnant-mothers-must-eat-a-balanced-diet-4164606 Why pregnant mothers must eat a balanced diet
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/hospitals-warned-on-smuggling-of-food-supplements-4166452 Hospitals warned on smuggling of food supplements
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/unicef-and-airtel-to-improve-access-to-digita-156542 UNICEF and Airtel to improve access to digital learning in rural schools
- https://press.un.org/en/2023/db230322.doc.htm Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
- https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/unicef-uganda-humanitarian-situation-report-no-1-28-february-2023 UNICEF Uganda Humanitarian Situation Report No. 1: 28 February 2023
- https://www.afro.who.int/countries/ghana/news/global-partners-commit-improve-maternal-newborn-and-child-health Global partners commit to improve Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4kOGawiylE Hailstorm ravages school but spares lives
- https://mg.co.za/opinion/2023-03-27-gender-equality-in-africa-is-really-300-years-away/ Gender equality in Africa is really ‘300 years away’
COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) was the most mentioned comparator in 52 articles, followed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) 47, and World Health Organization (WHO) with 23 among other comparators.
Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHTS 15TH – 28TH MARCH 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 digital learning, education, girl child, school strikes, 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:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CouKuint0Hq/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cotk44PIXlp/
https://twitter.com/DailyMonitor/status/1636070042205843459
https://twitter.com/nilepostnews/status/1636680473714851845
https://twitter.com/newvisionwire/status/1636660617946726405
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp4zgx8sCj5/
https://twitter.com/ntvuganda/status/1637005927327887360
https://twitter.com/ntvuganda/status/1637141827114487809
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp6hXa_sogo/
https://twitter.com/ntvuganda/status/1637297854040485891
https://twitter.com/ntvuganda/status/1637423721823469568
https://twitter.com/newvisionwire/status/1637650174477565960
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp9r7RSI5M0/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqAmdBCMuPe/
https://twitter.com/ntvuganda/status/1638138392406835200
https://twitter.com/DailyMonitor/status/1638503463708442627
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/photos/a.319879798060481/6169049509810118
https://twitter.com/ntvuganda/status/1638863165013495808
https://twitter.com/ntvuganda/status/1638792702660866054
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/photos/a.319879798060481/6171144536267282/?__cft
https://twitter.com/newvisionwire/status/1638958295447932929
https://twitter.com/newvisionwire/status/1639069518931558400
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/photos/a.319879798060481/6175355139179555
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/photos/a.319879798060481/6174832399231829
https://twitter.com/ntvuganda/status/1639731380497022977
https://twitter.com/DailyMonitor/status/1639522137584140290
https://twitter.com/newvisionwire/status/1640030940469575680
https://twitter.com/ntvuganda/status/1639994400666271752
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqPyO4Iv2Wm/
https://twitter.com/newvisionwire/status/1640282141446619138
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqSqVZWsnxq/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqSjdIxOmWS/
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/photos/a.319879798060481/6179143295467406/
https://twitter.com/newvisionwire/status/1640383234671345672
https://twitter.com/nbstv/status/1640660981100544000
