PREPARED BY
OVERVIEW
This report presents findings from the analysis of the coverage of children-related issues in Uganda for the period 1st – 14th September 2023 by various online media platforms. The main method used for analysis was content analysis.
Overall, the analyzed data results show that 489 articles were published online on children and children-related issues in Uganda, indicating an increase of 17 articles from those published during the last two weeks of August 2023.
One hundred eighty-eight (188) articles focused on keeping children Safe[1], 158 on keeping children Alive[2], and 143 were on keeping children Learning[3].
BI-WEEKLY ANALYSIS OF EDITORIAL AND JOURNALISTIC REPORTING TRENDS BY ONLINE PUBLICATIONS ON CHILDREN IN UGANDA
(SEPTEMBER 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 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 489 articles from online publications reporting children and children-related issues during the first weeks of September 2023 (1st – 14th) indicating an increase of 17 articles from those recorded during the last two weeks of August 2023. Below is a table showing a breakdown by publication, and category.
|
Publication |
Website URL |
Keeping children Alive |
Keeping Children Safe |
Keeping Children Learning |
Total No. of articles |
|
NTV Uganda |
31 |
25 |
30 |
86 | |
|
The New Vision |
16 |
40 |
25 |
81 | |
|
Daily Monitor |
20 |
20 |
14 |
54 | |
|
Bukedde |
10 |
22 |
11 |
43 | |
|
UBC TV |
13 |
5 |
10 |
28 | |
|
Uganda Radio Network |
10 |
11 |
6 |
27 | |
|
Spark TV |
10 |
5 |
5 |
20 | |
|
The Independent |
11 |
3 |
4 |
18 | |
|
Salt Media |
https://www.youtube.com/@saltmediauganda/videos |
9 |
4 |
3 |
16 |
|
Nile Post |
5 |
3 |
7 |
15 | |
|
Daily Express |
2 |
5 |
4 |
11 | |
|
Chimp Reports |
2 |
4 |
3 |
9 | |
|
The Observer |
1 |
6 |
1 |
8 | |
|
Watchdog |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 | |
|
BBS Terefayina |
3 |
1 |
3 |
7 | |
|
SoftPower News |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 | |
|
PML Daily |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 | |
|
KFM |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 | |
|
All Africa |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 | |
|
Capital Radio |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 | |
|
Pulse UG |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 | |
|
Urban TV |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 | |
|
Uganda Police Force |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 | |
|
Africa News |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 | |
|
UNHCR |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 | |
|
Ground news |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 | |
|
Kampala Dispatch |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 | |
|
Energy Portal |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 | |
|
The Roys report |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
Delta TV |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
News247 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 | |
|
Mirage News |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
Capital News |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
The Seattle Times |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
African Business |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
African Union |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 | |
|
The Sports Ocean |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 | |
|
Kawowo Sports |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 | |
|
International Rescue Community |
https://www.rescue.org/ |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Zawya |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 | |
|
The Star |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 | |
|
Borgen Magazine |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
KBC Channel 1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
Citizen Digital |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
Wales247 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
Sunday Vision |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 | |
|
TOTAL |
|
158 |
188 |
143 |
489 |
- CATEGORIES
One hundred eighty-eight (188) articles were centered on keeping children safe.
Issues related to keeping children learning were reported in 143 articles. Articles on keeping children alive were in 158 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 49% of the articles on children and children related issues published online during the first two weeks of September 2023 had a Positive sentiment[4]. Children-related articles with neutral sentiment were the least in number.
Out of the 193 children-related articles we recorded having a negative sentiment, three (03) articles mentioned UNICEF. The mentions were in the articles below;
- https://www.miragenews.com/98-of-african-children-face-high-climate-change-1076422/98% of African Children Face High Climate Change Risk: UNICEF
- https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2023/09/african-children-face-extreme-climate-risk-unicef-warns/African Children Face Extreme Climate Risk, UNICEF Warns
- https://african.business/2023/09/apo-newsfeed/african-children-bearing-the-brunt-of-climate-change-impactsAfrican children bearing the brunt of climate change impacts
- SHARE OF VOICE
The majority (90.1%) of the articles recorded during the first 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 1st – 14th September 2023
- MESSAGE FIDELITY
The majority (84.9%) of the children and children-related articles recorded during the first 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 489 children-related articles we recorded from online publications, 416 had direct quotes, indicating journalists’ sourcing and clarity in presenting news.
- USE OF VISUALS
In the articles recorded during this period, all 489 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 Child health (72) was the most covered issue during this period. This was followed by:
- Education (51)
- Child death (32)
- Examinations (30)
- Parenting (14)
- Teachers (26)
- Child Protection (26)
- Child trafficking (24)
- Breastfeeding (20)
- Child Death (19)
- Defilement (16)
- Children with disabilities (13)
- Food and Nutrition (12)
- Cholera Outbreak (12)
- Sports (17)
- Note that some articles covered more than one issue
- ARTICLES DISTRIBUTION PER REGION
Most (181) of the stories recorded were from the Central region while the Eastern region had the least stories at 105 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 (85), Wakiso (26), Buikwe (3), Gomba (2), Kalangala (5), Kalungu (2), Kassanda (2), Kayunga (4), Kiboga (1), Kyotera (2), Luweero (4), Lwengo (1), Masaka (5), Mpigi (3), Mubende (17), Mukono (18), Nakaseke (5)
Budaka (2), Bududa (2), Bugiri (1), Bugweri (1), Bukedea (2), Bukwo (4), Busia (3), Butaleja (7), Butebo (1), Buyende (2), Iganga (5), Jinja (8), Kaliro (5), Kamuli (17), Kapchorwa (6), Katakwi (4), Kibuku (2), Kween (2), Luuka (1), Mbale (13), Namayingo (8), Namisindwa (1), Namutumba (2), Kalaki (1), Tororo (5)
Rukungiri (1), Bundibugyo (4), Bunyangabu (4), Bushenyi (2), Isingiro (1), Kabale (13), Kabarole (7), Kagadi (10), Kakumiro (1), Kamwenge (14), Kasese (6), Kibaale (1), Kikuube (4), Kiryandongo (2), Kisoro (6), Kyegegwa (10), Kyenjojo (1), Masindi (1), Mbarara (3), Ntungamo (14), Hoima (2),
Zombo (1), Yumbe (10), Terego (7), Oyam (1), Adjumani (7), Apac (9), Agago (1), Napak (3), Alebtong (1), Amolator (1), Amuru (2), Arua (8), Gulu (6), Koboko (7), Kole (1), Kotido (2), Lamwo (19), Lira (2), Madi-Okollo (8), Moroto (4), Moyo (6), Nabilatuk (1), Nwoya (1), Obongi (2), Maracha (4)
- 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 September 2023, there were no newly published articles or press releases on the UNICEF Uganda website.
- UNICEF UGANDA MENTIONS
During this period, UNICEF Uganda was mentioned nine (09) times in 489 children and children-related articles in online publications. Below are links to the articles where UNICEF Uganda was mentioned during the first two weeks of September 2023:
CLIMATE CHANGE
- https://www.miragenews.com/98-of-african-children-face-high-climate-change-1076422/ 98% of African Children Face High Climate Change Risk: UNICEF
- https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2023/09/african-children-face-extreme-climate-risk-unicef-warns/ African Children Face Extreme Climate Risk, UNICEF Warns
- https://african.business/2023/09/apo-newsfeed/african-children-bearing-the-brunt-of-climate-change-impacts African children bearing the brunt of climate change impacts
CHILD MARRIAGES
- https://www.borgenmagazine.com/joy-for-children-uganda/ Joy For Children Uganda Working To Eradicate Child Marriage
EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/education/invest-more-in-teachers-digital-skilling-to-i-NV_169615 ‘Invest more in teachers’ digital skilling to improve literacy’
OTHER MENTIONS
- https://allafrica.com/stories/202309050063.html Africa: UNICEF Report Underscores Need for Teachers to Get Training Dealing With Children With Disabilities
- https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/health/public-warned-against-misusing-mosquito-nets-NV_169837 Public warned against misusing mosquito nets
- https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20230913/africa-platform-children-affected-armed-conflicts-undertook-lessons-learning The Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts undertook a Lessons-learning mission to Sierra Leone on the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Children affected by Armed Conflicts
- https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-un-agencies-accredit-11-baby-friendly-hospitals-4368550 Govt, UN agencies accredit 11 baby-friendly hospitals
- COMPARATOR MENTIONS
The Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) was the most mentioned comparator in 46 articles, followed by, Ministry of Health (MOH) 37, The World Health Organization (WHO) 11, among other comparators.
Below is a breakdown of all comparator mentions
COMPARATOR | NUMBER OF MENTIONS |
Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES) | 46 |
| Ministry of Health (MOH) | 37 |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 11 |
| 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) | 1 |
| UWESO | 6 |
| CEHURD | 1 |
| UNFPA | 2 |
PEPFAR | 2 |
| UWESO | 2 |
UN Women | 1 |
NUDIP | 1 |
- SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHTS 01ST – 14TH SEPTEMBER 2023
x
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 climate change, UNEB timetable, sleep under the net campaign, school fees regulation, 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 first two weeks of September:
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/704037238433530
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/690208629817649
https://www.instagram.com/p/CwuZ6-Ns1zz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/710843504413812
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/711247714373391
https://www.facebook.com/DailyMonitor/posts/697138699110842
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/715697437261752
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/710011461169441
https://www.facebook.com/NTVUganda/posts/709984317838822
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/696062495898929
https://www.facebook.com/nbstelevision/posts/717111860453643
https://www.facebook.com/thenewvision/posts/697330525772126
[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.
