PREPARED BY
OVERVIEW
This report presents findings from the analysis of the coverage of children-related issues in Uganda for the period 1st – 14th November 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 06 articles from those published during the last two weeks of October 2023.
One hundred ninety-nine (199) articles focused on keeping children Safe[1], 198 on keeping children Learning[2], and 81 were on keeping children Alive[3].
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA (NOVEMBER 1st – 14th 2023)
- INTRODUCTION
Ultimate Multimedia Consult (UMC) is required to present to UNICEF Uganda every two weeks an analysis of editorial and journalistic reporting trends on children and children-related issues in Uganda as published on online platforms. This report presents findings on how online publications covered children-related issues for the first two weeks of November 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 analysed 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, East 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 478 articles from online publications reporting children and children-related issues in Uganda during the first weeks of November 2023 (1st – 14th), indicating an increase of 06 articles from those recorded during the last two weeks of October 2023. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication and category.
- CATEGORIES
One hundred ninety-eight (198) articles were centered on keeping children Learning.
Issues related to keeping children Alive were reported in 81 articles. Articles on keeping children safe were in 199 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, 71 articles had no authors specified.
SENTIMENT
We found that 43% of the articles on children and children related issues published online during the first two weeks of November 2023 had a Positive sentiment[4]. Children-related articles with neutral sentiment were the least in number.
Positive (206) Negative (200) Neutral (72)
Out of the 200 children-related articles we recorded having a negative sentiment, none of thearticlesmentioned UNICEF.
- SHARE OF VOICE
The majority (74%) of the articles recorded during the first two weeks of November 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 November 2023
- MESSAGE FIDELITY
The majority (88%) of the children and children-related articles recorded during the first two weeks of November 2023 had high message fidelity. This implies that the messages were laid out 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, 363 had direct quotes, indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news.
- 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 stories captured, we noted that the issue of examinations was the most covered (132 times) during this period. This was followed by:
- Child health (53)
- Education (42)
- Schools (34)
- Defilement (36)
- Child death (30)
- School fires (25)
- Refugee children (22)
- Child protection (21)
- Child murder (12)
- Teenage pregnancy (12)
- Parenting (11)
- Examinations malpractice (11)
- Child-torture (11)
- WASH, Food and Nutrition (10)
Note that some stories covered more than one issue
- October – November is the time of year when most Ugandan students sit for their final examinations (PLE, UCE and UACE). The media often reports on how exams progress and the challenges involved during this period, and this explains why the issue of examinations was the most covered issue than any other issue in the Ugandan media during November 2023.
- STORY DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (280) of the stories recorded were from the Central region while the Northern region had the least stories at 66 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 (110), Wakiso (30), Kalangala (2), Kassanda (31), Kayunga (1), Kyotera (2), Luweero (1), Masaka (6), Mpigi (1), Mubende (36), Mukono (42), Nakaseke (1), Mityana (4), Bukomansimbi (1), Sembabule (5), Butambala (2), Buvuma (3), Lugazi (1) Rakai (1)
Budaka (1), Bududa (1), Bukedea (2), Bukwo (6), Busia (2), Butaleja (1), Butebo (1), Iganga (4), Jinja (27), Kamuli (4), Kapchorwa (1), Katakwi (2), Kween (1), Luuka (2), Mbale (9), Namayingo (1), Namisindwa (1), Namutumba (4), Kalaki (2), Busia (2), Mayuge (2), Soroti (4), Pallisa (4), Manafwa (1), Sironko (1),
Mbarara (6), Rukungiri (2), Bunyangabu (2), Bushenyi (1), Isingiro (3), Kabale (3), Kakumiro (16), Kamwenge (2), Kasese (6), Kikuube (2), Kiryandongo (1), Kisoro (6), Kyegegwa (7), Kyenjojo (4), Masindi (3), Ntungamo (1), Hoima (2), Rubanda (1), Pader (3), Buliisa (1)
Lira (7), Zombo (1), Oyam (2), Adjumani (1), Apac (1), Napak (2), Alebtong (1), Arua (7), Gulu (11), Koboko (1), Kole (1), Kotido (4), Moroto (12), Moyo (1), Nabilatuk (1), Abim (2), Nakapiripirit (2), Kaabong (3), Kwania (1), Dokolo (5)
- UNICEF UGANDA WEBSITE ARTICLES
This part analyzes UNICEF Uganda messages, including press releases, reports and expertise, and how they are reported on the UNICEF Uganda website. During the first two weeks of November 2023, two (02) articles and four (04) reports were published on the UNICEF Uganda website.
| Story link & title | Search Engine Optimization (SEO)[6] | Comments | |
| 1. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/kayunga-districts-triumph-over-cholera-within-its-borders Kayunga District’s triumph over Cholera within its borders | 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.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 |
| 2. | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/rescuing-dreams-amid-cholera-outbreak-buduma-primary-school-namayingo-district Rescuing dreams amid a cholera outbreak in Buduma Primary School, Namayingo District | 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.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 |
| Reports | |||
| 1 | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/reports/social-assistance-targeting-uganda Social assistance targeting in Uganda | ||
| 2 | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/reports/socio-economic-impact-ebola-virus-disease-outbreak-household-welfare Socio-economic impact of the Ebola virus disease outbreak on household welfare | ||
| 3 | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/reports/investing-water-sanitation-and-hygiene Investing in water, sanitation, and hygiene | ||
| 4 | https://www.unicef.org/uganda/reports/social-assistance-targeting-uganda-0 Social assistance targeting in Uganda | ||
- UNICEF UGANDA MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF Uganda was mentioned five (05) times out of the 478 children andchildren-related articles in online publications. Below are links to the articles where UNICEF Uganda was mentioned.
REFUGEES
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/refugees-benefit-from-social-protection-progr-NV_173966 Refugees benefit from social protection program in Lamwo District
EDUCATION | SCHOOLS
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/education/govt-releases-2024-school-calendar-NV_174392 Govt releases 2024 calendar
- https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/adv/article-how-education-empowers-girls-to-make-choices-about-their-futures/ How education empowers girls to make choices about their futures
OTHER
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/drawing-men-and-boys-into-quest-to-end-fgm-NV_173877 Drawing men and boys into quest to end FGM
- https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2023-11-02-uon-unicef-partner-to-offer-short-courses-on-child-safety/ UoN, Unicef partner to offer short courses on child safety
- COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The Ministry of Health (MoH) was the most mentioned comparator in 27 stories, followed by the Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) with 11, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with 10 mentions, among other comparators.
Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
| COMPARATOR | NUMBER OF MENTIONS |
| Ministry of Health (MoH) | 27 |
| Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) | 11 |
| United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) | 10 |
| Rotary International | 8 |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 7 |
| United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) | 1 |
| World Food Program (WFP) | 3 |
| USAID | 3 |
| PEPFAR | 2 |
| CEHURD | 1 |
| Plan International | 1 |
| Windle International | 1 |
| GIZ | 1 |
| MGLSD | 1 |
| World Bank | 1 |
3. SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHTS 1ST – 14TH NOVEMBER 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, NTV Uganda, The New Vision, Urban TV and Daily Monitor posted the most on children. Posting was mainly on aspects of, school fires, defilement, child-mothers, PLE, UCE & UACE examinations, learners with special needs, child-torture, immunization, education, girl child, schools, child malnutrition, teaching, child murder, child health, teachers, menstrual hygiene, 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 November:
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/726395336198978
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/726913756147136
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/729268849231160
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/750632513768244
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/750630793768416
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/750345623796933
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/727397916098720
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/730294815795230
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/728212056017306
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/746598494177404
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/731272942364084
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/728503135988198
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/728471805991331
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/747347600769160
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/747328737437713
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/747168174120436
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/752850850213077
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/729590339212811
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/732445632246815
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/732441662247212
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/732405922250786
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/732309882260390
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/754078660090296
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/754077140090448
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/753960046768824
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/748732570630663
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/748696010634319
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/748500007320586
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/729732159198629
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/754654446699384
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/754594680038694
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/732930325531679
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/751409483696305
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/757070819791080
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/734685448689500
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/757711126393716
[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]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.
[3] 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.
[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.
