PREPARED BY
OVERVIEW
This report presents findings from the analysis of the coverage of children-related issues in Uganda for the period 1st – 14th March 2023 by various online media platforms. The main method used was content analysis.
Overall, the analyzed data results show that 696 stories were published online on children and children-related issues in Uganda, indicating an increase of 142 stories from those published during the last two weeks of February 2023.
Three hundred forty-seven (347) stories focused on keeping children[1] learning[2], 228 on keeping children safe[3] while 121 were on keeping children alive.
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA (MARCH 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-related issues in online publications after every two weeks. This report presents findings on how online publications covered children-related issues for the first 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, ChimpReports, 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 696 articles from online publications reporting children-related issues during the first two weeks of March 2023 (1st – 14th) indicating an increase of 142 stories from those recorded during the last two weeks of February 2023. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication, and category.
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CATEGORIES
Three hundred forty-seven (347) stories were centered on keeping children learning.
Issues on keeping children safe were reported in 228 stories.
Stories on keeping children alive were in 121 stories.
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 stories. While some stories had more than one author, 129 stories had no authors specified.
SENTIMENT
We found 45% of the stories on children issues published online during the first two weeks of March 2023 had a positive sentiment[1]. Children-related stories with neutral sentiment were the least.
Out of the 275 children-related stories we recorded having negative sentiments, five (05) storiesmentioned UNICEF. The mention was in the article below:
- https://www.kfm.co.ug/health/malnutrition-in-mothers-soars-by-25-in-crisis-hit-countries-unicef.html Malnutrition in mothers soars by 25 % in crisis-hit countries – UNICEF
- https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2023-03-09-women-and-newborn-babies-at-risk-due-to-high-malnutrition/ Acute Malnutrition Increases among Women and Children
- https://sunrise.ug/news/202303/the-hidden-pandemic-of-malnutrition-among-pregnant-women-and-children-in-uganda.html The hidden pandemic of malnutrition among pregnant women and children in Uganda
- https://www.independent.co.ug/unicef-reports-rise-in-cholera-deaths-in-11-african-countries/ UNICEF reports rise in cholera deaths in 11 African countries
- https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/2369270-women-are-neglected-in-peace-building-that-needs-to-stop Women are neglected in peace building. That needs to stop
SHARE OF VOICE
Majority of the stories recorded during the first 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 stories online during the period 1st – 14th March 2023
MESSAGE FIDELITY
Majority (88%) of the children-related stories recorded during the first 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 stories are credible and trusted by content consumers.
NATURE OF QUOTES
Out of the 696 children-related stories we recorded from online publications, 588 stories had direct quotes indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news. 17 stories had no quotes.
USE OF VISUALS
In the stories recorded during this period, 679 hadaudio–visuals (photos, videos, audio and graphics). Seventeen (17) stories had no audiovisuals as shown below.
Stories with visuals are understood much more than those without.
ISSUES COVERED
The graphic below shows the topics covered in children-related stories 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 issues of Education (133 times), and Schools (100 times) were the most covered during this period. These were followed by:
STORIES DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (243) of the stories recorded were from the Central region while the Northern region had the least stories at 48 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 181 stories.
Wakiso (28), Sembabule (4), Mukono (3), Mpigi (4), Mityana (3), Masaka (2), Lwengo (1), Luweero (8), Kayunga (1), Kassanda (2), Buvuma (1), Buikwe (1), Kalangala (3), Bukomansimbi (1)
Bulambuli (10), Tororo (3), Sironko (3), Serere (1), Namutumba (1), Mbale (8), Kamuli (4), Kaliro (1), Jinja (34), Iganga (1), Busia (2), Bukedea (5), Budaka (1), Butaleja (3), Butebo (2), Manafwa (1)
Rukiga (4), Rubanda (12), Ntungamo (8), Mbarara (5), Masindi (2), Kyegegwa (3), Kisoro (2), Kiryandongo (1), Kiruhura (1), Kakumiro (1), Kabale (1), Ibanda (1), Hoima (6), Bushenyi (2), Bundibugyo (1), Ntoroko (1), Buliisa (6), Fort Portal (1), Kasese (6), Mitooma (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), Gulu (11), Arua (5), Amudat (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 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/malnutrition-mothers-soars-25-cent-crisis-hit-countries-putting-women-and-newborn Malnutrition in mothers soars by 25 per cent in crisis-hit countries, putting women and newborn babies at risk) was covered by two (02) online publications.
Below are the publications that reported on the press release published on the UNICEF website;
- https://www.kfm.co.ug/health/malnutrition-in-mothers-soars-by-25-in-crisis-hit-countries-unicef.html Malnutrition in mothers soars by 25 % in crisis-hit countries – UNICEF
- https://sunrise.ug/news/202303/the-hidden-pandemic-of-malnutrition-among-pregnant-women-and-children-in-uganda.html The hidden pandemic of malnutrition among pregnant women and children in Uganda
UNICEF MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF was mentioned 30 times in 696 children-related stories in online publications. Below are links to the stories where UNICEF was mentioned during the first two weeks of March 2023:
EDUCATION
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/education/absa-skills-teenage-mothers–4156398 Absa skills teenage mothers
- https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/latest/2023-03-14-unicef-airtel-africa-discuss-access-to-quality-education/ UNICEF, Airtel Africa Discuss Access to Quality Education
- https://www.galaxyfm.co.ug/2023/03/07/segun-ogunsanya-restates-airtel-africas-commitment-to-providing-quality-education-to-african-children/ Segun Ogunsanya restates Airtel Africa’s commitment to providing quality education to African children
- https://dailyexpress.co.ug/2023/03/03/parliament-tasks-education-ministry-to-issue-circular-on-bullying-in-Schoolss/ Parliament tasks Education ministry to issue circular on bullying in Schools
- www.sundayvision.co.ug/how-ugandas-new-teacher-management-system-will-change-Schoolss-and-educational-planning/ How Uganda’s new teacher management system will change Schools and educational planning
- https://www.independent.co.ug/dr-ogunsanya-restates-airtel-africas-commitment-to-quality-education-for-african-children/ Dr Ogunsanya restates Airtel Africa’s commitment to quality education for African children
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/health/schools-to-benefit-from-digital-diagnosis-for-155816 Schools to benefit from digital diagnosis for treatment
- https://sunrise.ug/news/202303/the-hidden-pandemic-of-malnutrition-among-pregnant-women-and-children-in-uganda.html The hidden pandemic of malnutrition among pregnant women and children in Uganda
- https://www.kfm.co.ug/health/malnutrition-in-mothers-soars-by-25-in-crisis-hit-countries-unicef.html Malnutrition in mothers soars by 25 % in crisis-hit countries – UNICEF
- https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2023-03-09-women-and-newborn-babies-at-risk-due-to-high-malnutrition/ Acute Malnutrition Increases among Women and Children
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/uganda-spends-sh26b-combating-malnutrition-an-155264 Uganda spends sh2.6b combating malnutrition annually
WASH
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/health/govt-launches-hand-washing-campaign-in-karamo-155292 Govt launches hand washing campaign in Karamoja
- https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2023-03-06-ministry-of-water-in-handwashing-campaign-for-karamoja/ Ministry of Water in Handwashing Campaign for Karamoja
OTHER MENTIONS
- https://www.independent.co.ug/plan-to-eliminate-mercury-from-skin-lightening-products/ Plan to eliminate mercury from skin lightening products
- https://ug.usembassy.gov/u-s-ambassador-natalie-e-brown-remarks-at-global-refugee-forum-roadmap-launch/ U.S. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown Remarks at Global Refugee Forum Roadmap Launch
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-unveils-new-guidelines-for-pdm-project-4142978 Govt unveils new guidelines for PDM project
- https://dailynurse.com/agnes-nambozo-makes-treacherous-climb/ Ugandan Nurse Agnes Nambozo Makes Treacherous Climb to Patients
- https://www.ceo.co.ug/rising-executives-edmond-mwebembezi-joins-unicef-uganda-office-as-communications-officer/ RISING EXECUTIVES: Edmond Mwebembezi joins UNICEF Uganda office as Communications Officer
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/happy-international-women-s-day–4146594 Happy International Women’s Day
- https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/2369270-women-are-neglected-in-peace-building-that-needs-to-stop Women are neglected in peace building. That needs to stop.
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/health/west-nile-acholi-health-facilitie-receive-equ-155315 West Nile, Acholi health facilities receive equipment worth sh296m
- https://softpower.ug/gender-equality-still-300-years-away-un-chief-warns/ Gender equality still ‘300 years away,’ UN chief warns
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/gender-equality-still-300-years-away-un-chief-warns-4148640 Gender equality still ‘300 years away,’ UN chief warns
- https://reliefweb.int/report/world/our-aids-response-must-acknowledge-and-bridge-gendered-digital-inequalities Our AIDS response must acknowledge and bridge gendered digital inequalities
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/world/women-first-to-suffer-last-to-be-heard-un-sec-155427 Women first to suffer, last to be heard: UN Security Council hears
- https://observer.ug/news/headlines/77063-world-bank-pledges-to-accelerate-women-equality-and-empowerment World Bank pledges to accelerate women equality and empowerment
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/letters/age-is-no-limit-to-promoting-health-and-social-well-being-4151840 Age is no limit to promoting health and social well-being
- https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/greater-horn-africa-djibouti-ethiopia-kenya-somalia-south-sudan-sudan-and-uganda-grade-3-emergency-appeal-march-2023 Greater Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda), Grade 3 Emergency Appeal (March 2023)
- https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/3/11/23635501/relief-society-president-camille-johnson-heartwarming-heart-wrenching-visit-uganda-unicef President Johnson’s ‘heartwarming and heart-wrenching’ visit to Uganda with UNICEF
- https://www.independent.co.ug/unicef-reports-rise-in-cholera-deaths-in-11-african-countries/ UNICEF reports rise in cholera deaths in 11 African countries
COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) was the most mentioned comparator in 118 stories, followed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) 27, and World Health Organization (WHO) with 21 among other comparators.
Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
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 education, girl child, examinations, UACE results, pediatrics, child malnutrition, homosexuality in schools, teaching, child murder, child health, teachers, menstrual health, street children, school reopening, school feeding, child marriage, polio vaccination, 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/CptpY_Sshhv/
