PREPARED BY
OVERVIEW
This report presents findings from the analysis of the coverage of children-related issues in Uganda for the period 15th – 28th September 2023 by various online media platforms. The main method used for analysis was content analysis.
Overall, the analyzed data results show that 562 articles were published online on children and children-related issues in Uganda, indicating an increase of 73 articles from those published during the first two weeks of September 2023.
Two hundred eleven (211) articles focused on keeping children Safe[1], 150 on keeping children Alive[2], and 201 were on keeping children Learning[3].
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA (SEPTEMBER 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 September 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 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 562 articles from online publications reporting children and children-related issues during the first weeks of September 2023 (15th – 28th) indicating an increase of 73 articles from those recorded during the first two weeks of September 2023. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication, and category.
- CATEGORIES
Two hundred eleven (211) articles were centered on keeping children safe.
Issues related to keeping children learning were reported in 201 articles. Articles on keeping children alive were in 150 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, 83 articles had no authors specified.
SENTIMENT
We found that 44% of the articles on children and children related issues published online during the last two weeks of September 2023 had a Positive sentiment[4]. Children-related articles with neutral sentiment were the least in number.
Out of the 234 children-related articles we recorded having a negative sentiment, four (04) articlesmentioned UNICEF. The mentions were in the articles below;
- https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/countries-with-the-worst-water-supply Countries With the Worst Drinking Water
- https://chimpreports.com/children-dying-amid-healthcare-system-collapse-in-sudan-says-unhcr/ Children Dying Amid Healthcare System Collapse In Sudan, Says UNHCR
- https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/rest-of-africa/over-1-200-children-have-died-in-sudan-refugee-camps-4373870 Over 1,200 children have died in Sudan refugee camps, Unicef says
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/municipal-officials-grilled-over-shoddy-work-poor-health-services-4369524 Municipal officials grilled over shoddy work, poor health services
- SHARE OF VOICE
The majority (83%) of the articles recorded during the last two weeks of September 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 15th – 28th September 2023
- MESSAGE FIDELITY
The majority (87%) of the children and children-related articles recorded during the last two weeks of September 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 562 children-related articles we recorded from online publications, 463 had direct quotes, indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news.
- USE OF VISUALS
In the articles recorded during this period, all 489 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 Education and child health were the most covered issues during this period in 89 and 77 articles respectively. These were followed by:
- Schools (68)
- Child Protection (66)
- Child death (21)
- Examinations (14)
- Parenting (14)
- Teachers (26)
- Child trafficking (24)
- WASH (16)
- Child Death (19)
- Defilement (16)
- Children with disabilities (13)
- Food and Nutrition (12)
- Child murder (14)
- School fees (13)
- Note that some articles covered more than one issue
- ARTICLES DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (208) of the stories were from the Central region while the Eastern region had the least stories at 68 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 (36), Mukono (49), Wakiso (30), Sembabule (1), Rakai (2), Nakasongola (1), Nakaseke (2), Mubende (20), Mpigi (13), Masaka (13), Lwengo (1), Luweero (4), Kyotera (5), Kiboga (1), Kayunga (12), Kassanda (2), Kanungu (2), Kampala (36), Kalangala (3), Gomba (2), Buvuma (1), Bukomansimbi (5), Buikwe (3)
Tororo (6), Sironko (1), Serere (1), Pallisa (2), Namutumba (1), Mbale (6), Mayuge (3), Manafwa (2), Luuka (4), Kween (1), Kumi (1), Katakwi (2), Kapchorwa (2), Kamuli (6), Kaliro (1), Kaberamaido (1), Jinja (3), Iganga (2), Busia (1), Bulambuli (2), Bukwo (12), Bukedea (3), Bududa (2), Budaka (1), Ngora (2)
Rukungiri (1), Rukiga (4), Rubanda (2), Ntungamo (1), Ntoroko (2), Mbarara (3), Masindi (3), Lyantonde (2), Kyenjojo (2), Kyegegwa (16), Kitagwenda (1), Kisoro (5), Kiryandongo (1), Kikuube (3), Kasese (9), Kamwenge (3), Kabarole (5), Kabale (2), Isingiro (5), Ibanda (1), Hoima (1), Bushenyi (3), Bundibugyo (4), Kagadi (2)
Zombo (3), Yumbe (3), Pader (1), Oyam (5), Obongi (1), Nwoya (2), Nebbi (1), Napak (11), Nakapiripirit (2), Moyo (1), Moroto (1), Madi-Okollo (2), Lira (6), Lamwo (1), Kotido (8), Koboko (1), Kaabong (1), Gulu (17), Arua (9), Apac (2), Amudat (1), Adjumani (2), Terego (3), Kole (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 September 2023, one (01) article was published on the UNICEF Uganda website.
| Story link & title | Search Engine Optimization (SEO)[6] | Comments | |
| 1. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/traditional-healers-key-allies-promoting-positive-social-and-behaviour-change-communities Traditional Healers, key allies in promoting positive social and behaviour change in communities | 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. 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 |
- UNICEF UGANDA MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF Uganda was mentioned 11 times in 562 children andchildren-related articles in online publications. Below are links to the articles where UNICEF Uganda was mentioned during the last two weeks of September 2023:
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/cross-border-fgm-law-enforcement-collaboratio-NV_170795 Cross-border FGM: ‘Law enforcement, collaborations key in ending the practice’
- https://globalvoices.org/2023/09/25/i-felt-violated-the-women-determined-to-break-the-cycle-of-fgm-in-uganda/ ‘I felt violated’: The women determined to break the cycle of FGM in Uganda
CYBER BULLYING
- https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/09/1141547 ‘You can’t even face your own parents’, activist against cyberbullying tells Human Rights Council
- https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO2309/S00220/you-cant-even-face-your-own-parents-activist-against-cyberbullying-tells-human-rights-council.htm ‘You Can’t Even Face Your Own Parents’, Activist Against Cyberbullying Tells Human Rights Council
OTHER MENTIONS
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/municipal-officials-grilled-over-shoddy-work-poor-health-services-4369524 Municipal officials grilled over shoddy work, poor health services
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/uneasy-progress-for-women-s-health-4369444 Uneasy progress for women’s health
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nmg-joins-campaign-to-upgrade-city-slums-4374706 NMG joins campaign to upgrade city slums
- https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/rest-of-africa/over-1-200-children-have-died-in-sudan-refugee-camps-4373870 Over 1,200 children have died in Sudan refugee camps, Unicef says
- https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/uganda-to-conduct-second-joint-health-external-evaluation Uganda to Conduct Second Joint Health External Evaluation
- https://chimpreports.com/children-dying-amid-healthcare-system-collapse-in-sudan-says-unhcr/ Children Dying Amid Healthcare System Collapse In Sudan, Says UNHCR
- https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/countries-with-the-worst-water-supply Countries With the Worst Drinking Water
- COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) was the most mentioned comparator in 51 articles, followed by, Ministry of Health (MOH) 34, The World Health Organization (WHO) 12, among other comparators.
Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
| COMPARATOR | NUMBER OF MENTIONS |
| Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) | 51 |
| Ministry of Health (MOH) | 34 |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 12 |
| War Child Holland | 8 |
| United Nations | 3 |
| Uganda Red Cross Society | 4 |
| International Rescue Committee | 3 |
| UNHCR | 5 |
| WFP | 4 |
| Ministry of Gender Labour Social Development (MGLSD) | 4 |
| UWESO | 6 |
| CEHURD | 1 |
| UNFPA | 2 |
| PEPFAR | 2 |
| UWESO | 2 |
| UN Women | 1 |
| NUDIP | 1 |
- SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHTS 15TH – 28TH SEPTEMBER 2023
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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, NBS TV, NTV Uganda, The New Vision, Urban TV and Daily Monitor posted the most on children. Posting was mainly on aspects of re-opening of learners third term, climate change, UNEB timetables, sleep under the net campaign, competence based new curriculum pre-tests, immunization, defilement, vaccination, education, girl child, schools, accidents, pediatrics, child malnutrition, 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 violence against children, among others. Below are snippets from and links to the posts captured from social media in the last weeks of September:
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/720359440128885
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/720356100129219
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/714608077376446
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/715112377326016
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/721262010038628
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/721160426715453
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/700514672120378
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/700514115453767
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/703420908482621
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/701156798722832
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/703280651829980
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/701150425390136
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cxe3910s3t0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/717965743707346
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/717955533708367
https://www.instagram.com/p/CxkPSfpuqkF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/718918043612116
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/724798519684977
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cxpmnd2RCdr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/727185116112984
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/705982108240301
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/705970468241465
[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.
[6] Search Engine Optimization is the process of improving the content on your website to increase its visibility for relevant searches online.
