PREPARED BY
OVERVIEW
This report presents findings from the analysis of the coverage of children-related issues in Uganda for the period 1st – 14th August 2023 by various online media platforms. The main method used for analysis was content analysis.
Overall, the analyzed data results show that 541 articles were published online on children and children-related issues in Uganda, indicating an increase of 68 articles from those published during the last two weeks of July 2023.
Two hundred thirty-two (232) articles focused on keeping children Safe[1], 156 on keeping children Alive[2], and 153 were on keeping children Learning[3].
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA (AUGUST 1ST – 14TH 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 first two weeks of August 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 541 articles from online publications reporting children and children-related issues during the first two weeks of August 2023 (1st – 14th) indicating an increase of 68 articles from those recorded during the last two weeks of July 2023. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication, and category.
- CATEGORIES
Two hundred thirty-two (232) articles were centred on keeping children safe.
Issues related to keeping children learning were reported in 153 articles. Articles on keeping children alive were in 156 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, 96 articles had no authors specified.
- SENTIMENT
We found that 50% of the articles on children and children related issues published online during the first two weeks of August 2023 had a Positive sentiment[4]. Children-related articles with neutral sentiment were the least in number.
Out of the 197 children-related articles we recorded having a negative sentiment, two (02) articles mentioned UNICEF. The mentions were in the articles below;
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/cholera-kills-8-in-kayunga-4322904 Cholera kills 8 in Kayunga
- https://dailyexpress.co.ug/2023/08/01/cholera-claims-8-in-kayunga-several-admitted/ Cholera claims 8 in Kayunga, several admitted
- SHARE OF VOICE
The majority (87.4%) of the articles recorded during the first two weeks of August 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 1st – 14th August 2023
- MESSAGE FIDELITY
The majority (92.4%) of the children and children-related articles recorded during the first two weeks of August 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 541 children-related articles we recorded from online publications, 446 had direct quotes, indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news. Three (03) articles had no quotes at all.
- USE OF VISUALS
In the articles recorded during this period, all 541 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 articles captured, we noted that Schools (92) was the most covered issue during this period. This was followed by:
- Education (66)
- Child Protection (58)
- Child Health (62)
- Defilement (40)
- Child trafficking (24)
- Breastfeeding (20)
- Child Death (19)
- Children with disabilities (13)
- Food and Nutrition (12)
- Cholera Outbreak (12)
- Teachers (10)
- Note that some articles covered more than one issue
- ARTICLES DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (338) of the articles recorded were from the Central Region, while the Northern Region had the fewest articles at 46, 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 (238), Luwero (20), Wakiso (38), Mukono (8), Mpigi (9), Masaka (10), Mityana (3), Bukomansimbi (3), Kayunga (7), Buikwe (2).
Bukedi (3), Jinja (13), Kamuli (1), Soroti (2), Kween (1), Bukedi (3), Nebbi (1), Zombo (3), Mbale (2), Buyende (2), Bugiri (5), Serere (1), Iganga (2), Budaka (4), Busia (7), Tororo (3), Manafwa (1)
Mbarara (4), Kabarole (2), Bundibugyo (2), Kanungu (2), Kikuube (4), Kasese (11), Rukungiri (1), Rwampara (2), Bushenyi (1), Isingiro (1), Kagadi (1), Kabale (6), Kakumiro (8), Masindi (5), Ntoroko (1)
Madi-Okollo (2), Gulu (7), Katakwi (3), Terego (2), Yumbe (9), Moroto (5), Lira (3), Kole (1), Kapelabyong (2), Kumi (2), Arua (2), Oyam (1), Dokolo, (1), Otuke (1), Kwania(1), Omoro (1), Kapchorwa (1), Apac (2), Adjumani (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 first two weeks of August 2023, three (03) articles were published on the UNICEF Uganda website.
| Story link & title | Search Engine Optimization (SEO)[6] | Comments | |
| 1. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/competency-based-assessment-skills-teachers-impact-rural-schools-western-uganda Competency-based assessment skills for teachers impact rural schools in Western Uganda | ✔ Photos ✔ Good use of keywords ✔ Keyword-rich title | ● 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 ● Use related articles link in addition to hyperlinks (ibound and outbound) can help improve SEO for your content online as well as helping content users easily find other useful content on or off your site. |
| 2. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/malnutrition-still-challenge-children-karamoja Malnutrition still a challenge for children in Karamoja | ✔ Photos ✔ Good use of keywords | |
| 3. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/polio-prevention-through-community-engagement-taking-promising-strides-kikuube-district Polio prevention through community engagement taking promising strides in Kikuube District, Uganda | ✔ Photos ✔ Blockquotes ✔ Keyword rich title | |
- UNICEF UGANDA MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF Uganda was mentioned nine times in 541 children-related articles in online publications. Below are links to the articles where UNICEF Uganda was mentioned during the first two weeks of August 2023:
BREASTFEEDING
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcXQIY5CPy4 Abasawo Balabudde Abakyala Abatayonsa Baana , Abaana Baabwe Boolekedde Okukonziba
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5rv2ohFX0U World breast feeding week
- https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/reproductive-health/article/2001478509/mothers-milk-gives-babies-healthy-start-in-life-un-health-agencies-say Mothers’ milk gives babies healthy start in life, UN health agencies say
- https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/08/1139452 Nurturing future generations through breastfeeding
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/africa-press-releases/nurturing-future-generations-through-breastfeeding-vlt4s260 Nurturing future generations through breastfeeding
CHOLERA OUTBREAK
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/cholera-kills-8-in-kayunga-4322904 Cholera kills 8 in Kayunga
- https://dailyexpress.co.ug/2023/08/01/cholera-claims-8-in-kayunga-several-admitted/ Cholera claims 8 in Kayunga, several admitted
MALNUTRITION
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/unicefusa/2023/08/03/mothers-community-volunteers-first-line-of-defense-against-child-malnutrition/?sh=796ea2d43cee Mothers, Community Volunteers Are The First Line Of Defense Against Child Malnutrition
OTHER MENTIONS
- https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/improving-health-surveillance-and-strengthening-healthcare-system-uganda Improving health surveillance and strengthening the healthcare system in Uganda
- COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The Ministry of Health (MOH) was the most mentioned comparator in 55 articles, followed by, The Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) 18, The World Health Organization (WHO) 20, among other comparators.
Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
| COMPARATOR | NUMBER OF MENTIONS |
| Ministry of Health (MOH) | 55 |
| Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) | 18 |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 20 |
| United Nations | 4 |
| Rotary International | 5 |
| UNFPA | 3 |
| Save the Children | 1 |
| UNHCR | 2 |
| WFP | 4 |
| Ministry of Gender Labour Social Development (MGLSD) | 4 |
| UWESO | 3 |
| ILO | 1 |
| World Bank | 2 |
| UN Women | 2 |
| National Children Authority | 1 |
| UWOPA | 1 |
| UNEPI | 1 |
| UNAIDS | 2 |
| CEHURD | 1 |
| UCRNN | 1 |
- SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHTS 1ST – 14TH AUGUST 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 breastfeeding, sleep under the net campaign, international youth day, cholera outreak, 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 first two weeks of August:
https://twitter.com/nbstv/status/1686373475211218944
https://twitter.com/newvisionwire/status/1686358155809206272
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvZKE6LsN3q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvfKs3Us7zT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
https://www.instagram.com/p/CvfAHlmuNH_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvZKE6LsN3q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
[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.
