The Role of Media in Child Protection: Challenges and Opportunities in Uganda

This 63-page report discusses findings of a study exploring child protection in the media in Uganda. The study examined the policy and legal environment, media coverage, and the relationship between civil society organisations, government, and media as it relates to child protection. Together with similar studies conducted in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, the research is intended to provide baseline data for the "Strengthening Media Agency for Child Protection" project being implemented by Panos Eastern Africa. Overall, the study suggests that while there are some positive trends in coverage and media awareness of children's issues, significant work is required to build the capacity of both print and broadcast media to advocate for child protection.

The study approach was largely qualitative, involving consultations with key stakeholders, including two daily newspapers, 24 radio stations, and six television stations, as well as two child protection agencies. The research also included a content analysis exercise of print media. The first two chapters provide a literature review focusing on international and local background information about child protection systems, as well as legal and policy frameworks related to child protection. The report then provides in-depth findings from print and broadcast media.

Analysis of print media
A content analysis was conducted based on 201 stories published by national daily newspapers The New Vision and The Daily Monitor. The content analysis found that the majority of the coverage was news- and event-based, with fewer features, options, or supplements.

The study looks at the sources of information and the context in which information is obtained by journalists. Results showed that civil society organisations (CSOs) play an important role as sources, and that the majority of stories were based on interviews where a journalist follows a story by interviewing the main sources and subjects. The second biggest context for getting stories was by attending an actual event such as the release of a report.

The study also looks at the content of the print stories in terms of the kind of abuse covered, the agents of abuse (father, both parents, teacher, etc.) and the location of abuse. In addition, it looks at the message of the stories, the intended audience of the message, and the use of pictures. It also identifies whose voices are being most heard. For example, in terms of messages, in "nearly half of stories (46%) the key message was a call for action to be taken. Such actions ranged from tougher punishment for offenders, more protection for children, and improving the legal regime." Most of the messages were intended for the general public and government, while 22% of messages were directed at parents. As stated in the report, "the messages targeting other categories like the police, line ministries, child protection CSOs and the international community were significantly low." In the majority of stories analysed, the voices heard were those of the main adult sources who spoke to journalists, and rarely featured the voices of children. The report also points out that media are not making enough of an effort to capitalise on international commemorative days such as International Day of the African Child (16 June), International Children's Day (1 June), World Day Against Child Labour (12 June), etc.

Findings and analysis of stories from the survey of broadcast stations
This chapter presents the findings from a survey questionnaire with 17 radio stations and 4 television stations. The sample included private, community, faith-based, and public service broadcasters.

According to the report, all stations except KFM radio reported having children's programmes on their schedules in various formats - magazine, talk show, chat show, drama, inspirational, live shows, and feature programmes. Most of the programme names reflect a child-centred approach. The survey found that while 64% of radio station respondents said they were fully aware of child abuse issues, on the topic of child protection only 27% expressed that they were fully aware of what this entails. This points to a need for sensitisation about child protection on a management level. In addition, only three out of the 24 stations reported having a policy on child protection that spells out the importance of protecting rights (and identities where need applies) of minors in stories of both radio and television. The report also looks at the frequency of media reporting on child abuse issues, which differed according to the specific cases of abuse: Physical abuse and sexual abuse were most featured, with fewer coverage of corporal punishment at school and emotional abuse.

The survey also looked at how stations relate with child protection agencies and government. According to the results, most stations "interface with child protection organisations and agencies to crosscheck facts in stories before they are aired; to look for story ideas and also to cover events when invited." However, few "maintain regular email contact with CSOs and government agencies." On the other hand, stations mentioned that CSOs often did not provide feedback, were slow to respond to queries, and in over half the cases, only supplied information on demand. This suggests a need to improve information flows and for CSOs to take a more proactive approach to working with the media. At the same time, stations could use their children's programmes more for promoting rights, protection, and empowerment, rather than just being for entertainment purposes.

Based on the research, a number of recommendations are offered:

• "There is need to explore more opportunities among child protection actors for dialogue, sharing information, sharing of values, skills, experiences and competences."
• "Media, child protection CSO officials and government officials should engage in more partnerships on child protection."
• "In addition to literature that government provides, important basic information should be generated as guiding material on policy and good practices in the child protection sector. This may include basic information and media kits provided by CSOs and government for
  media as well as basic concepts and principles in child protection."
• "CSOs and government departments dealing with children should enter into long-term arrangements with media organisations as allies in child protection."
• "There should be certified tailor-made courses to skill and retool journalists to enable them to report ethically on child protection."