Communication Technology and New Media Commons^™

Assessing Youtube Vloggers’ Ethical Conduct And Impact On Political Discourse In The 2021 Uganda General Elections., Otto John Alex

Theses & Dissertations

This research delves into the pivotal role played by YouTube vloggers during the 2021 elections in Uganda. The study focuses on assessing vloggers' content's quality and ethical standards, understanding audience engagement, and analysing the overall impact on citizen participation. Through the examination of 10 videos and 19 in-depth intervie, and 2 Key informant interviews revealed that vloggers often disseminated biased and inaccurate information to attract viewer engagement. The content analysis highlighted unbalanced reporting, a breach of journalism ethics, and a primary focus on profit-making, neglecting responsible journalism's foundational principles. As observed in the comment sections, audience interaction showcased a dynamic …

Media's Coverage Of Biotechnology And Gmo’S: How Kenyan Broadcast Media Covered The Lifting Of The Ban On Genetically Modified Foods., Zeynab Nyangule Wandati

Theses & Dissertations

The introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has been controversial globally, with differing views on the risks and benefits of their use in agriculture, even though the technology is extensively used in medicine. In Africa, the adoption of GMOs has been relatively slow compared to other regions due to a combination of factors, including poor infrastructure, inadequate resources, and public resistance. Studies have shown that the media often portrays GMOs as a threat to human health and the environment, a narrative often pushed by the news sources interviewed, with little emphasis on their potential benefits or the science of it. …

Digital Activism Through Humour And Satire: An Analysis Of The Use Of Tiktok And X For Political Accountability In Uganda., Shemei Agabo

Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Framing Of Digital Currencies In Rwandan Media: A Comparative Study Of Igihe.Com And The New Times., Cyuzuzo Jean De Dieu Samba

Theses & Dissertations

This study analyzed the media coverage of cryptocurrencies in Rwanda’s two leading online publishers, focusing on identifying trends and biases in their reporting. Anchored on Framing Theory, phase one of this study used quantitative content analysis to analyse the tone of coverage, the nature of coverage and to comparatively analyse what the data analysis tells of nuances between coverage in English and coverage in Kinyarwanda from samples of media coverage of cryptocurrencies in the two outlets over a specified period. In phase two, the data was analyzed and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics to respond to the research objectives …

News Media Content Shifts And Declining Youth News Consumption In Uganda’S Legacy Media: A Case Study Of The New Vision., Alex Bagyenzire Atuhaire

Theses & Dissertations

The decline in the number of young people consuming news media is a phenomenon occasioned by the digital migration of the youthful population, media content disruptions, market competition and rapid technological innovations. These forces, together with the highly youthful population in Uganda that has either migrated to digital platforms or are digital natives have not only resulted in shifts in consumption habits but also a decline in legacy media consumption. Using The New Vision as a case, the project sought to analyse and explore media news content changes and youth news consumption levels in the Ugandan media focusing on key …

Innovating For Efficiency: The Use Of Generative Ai In Kenyan Newsrooms., Anthony Irari Ngugi

Theses & Dissertations

Generative AI has revolutionized media landscapes around the globe, including in Kenya. Widely known for mobile technology adoption and digital entrepreneurship, Kenya's journalism field is experiencing drastic transformation thanks to AI's powerful abilities. This study sought to understand how Generative AI (GenAI) is being adopted by Kenyan media houses, as well as its advantages, drawbacks, and challenges associated with journalistic innovation. Chapter 1 introduces the global impact of

Generative AI while outlining specific implications for Kenyan newsrooms. Contextualizing AI's rise in media, this paper compares traditional and modern journalistic practices as well as big tech's impact in shaping news consumption …

An Analysis Of The Use Of Whatsapp In The News-Making Process: A Case Of Bbc Africa., Maureen Nasimiyu Nyukuri

Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Breaking News Stories In The Age Of Citizen Journalism: Daily Nation’S Utilisation Of User Comments On Facebook, Agewa Waruguru Wainaina

Theses & Dissertations

This study examines how the Nation Media Group (NMG) utilises comments made on its social media platform to break, update, and ultimately publish stories on social media platforms, the study focused on Facebook. Previous studies have established that the audience has the power to determine what content media houses publish, even forcing social media editors to delete or change stories they publish online. Thus, media practitioners must understand how to best engage with their online consumers while delivering quality journalistic content and maintaining integrity. Through the literature review of similar studies, it was found that scholars have determined that audience …

Examining The Role And Implications Of Twitter On News Production In Ugandan Newsrooms: A Case Of Nation Media Group Uganda, Elizabeth Amongin

Theses & Dissertations

Social Media, particularly Twitter, has increased and eased the news production process by enhancing sourcing, gathering, and distributing news content. This study examined the implications of applying or using witter in the news production process in Ugandan newsrooms. This study focused on Nation Media Group -Uganda (NMG-U) and the New Media Theory guided it. The study applied a qualitative study approach and indepth interviews to collect data from 22 journalists and editors who were purposely selected. The study used a case study design to establish the role of Twitter in news sourcing and the attribution of quotes This study found …

Digital Media And Democratization: The Role Of X In Promoting Participatory Democracy In Rwanda., Christophe Hitayezu

Theses & Dissertations

Amidst the ever-evolving landscape of digital media's impact on democracy, this study explored the nuanced relationship between X and participatory democracy in Rwanda. Anchored on the Theory of Public Sphere and New Media Theory, this research shed light on the multifaceted interactions between citizens and politicians on X in Rwanda. By quantifying the interactions between politicians and citizens, finding out whether accountability mechanisms exist on the platform, and citizen-driven concerns; the study aimed to offer a comprehensive understanding of X's role in promoting participatory democracy in Rwanda. Situated within the Rwandan political context, this study gains significance as it navigates …

News Media Coverage Of Court Matters Involving Children In Kenya., Lenox Omondi Otieno

Theses & Dissertations

The pivotal role of news media as the fourth estate in society cannot be overstated; it profoundly influences public opinion, shapes perceptions, and mirrors a nation's values. Much like in other countries, in Kenya, media assumes a central role in reporting legal proceedings, especially those involving children. The manner in which these events are covered carries significant consequences, directly impacting the welfare and rights of the children concerned. This study critically examines the news media's coverage of court proceedings involving children in Kenya, focusing on mainstream television channels, namely Citizen TV, NTV, and KTN News, owing to their substantial viewership. …

An Analysis Of The Contribution Of Training Grants To The Ugandan Media: A Case Study Of The New Vision And Daily Monitor., Julius Odeke

Theses & Dissertations

The training of journalists has become an important element in enhancing the development of the media due to the popular global conjecture that a developed media consequently helps citizens to make informed decisions. But a number of factors like the choice of areas for training that needs funding and challenges media experiences in enhancing media development have over the time stifled the operations of the Ugandan media limiting its ability to advance issues of public interest (McChesney, 2008:37;Nyarko, 2015).This study therefore sought to identify areas covered by the training grants in the past five years (2019-2023), analyse the contribution of …

Examining Audience Perceptions And Role Of Cookies In Select News Websites In Kenya: A Case Of Nation Africa And The Standard, Isabel Mwendwa Radoli

Theses & Dissertations

This thesis investigates the audience perceptions and the role of cookies in the user experience of selected news websites in Kenya. In an era dominated by digital media consumption, understanding how users interact with online news platforms is crucial for media practitioners and technology developers. The study focuses on the Kenyan context, exploring the unique dynamics that shape user engagement with news content and the impact of cookies on their online experience. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative survey focused on audience perceptions of cookies and interactions with cookie consent notices and in-depth interviews with commercial website …

Exploring The Challenges And Opportunities Of Digital Transformation In Media Organizations: A Case Of Nation Media Group Uganda., Emmanuel Waiswa

Theses & Dissertations

This study explores Nation Media Group Uganda’s digital transformation and revenue diversification efforts in response to challenges in the evolving media market. Employing a mixed methods approach, including in-depth interviews with 7 key stakeholders, an online questionnaire distributed to 43 respondents, and document analysis, the study offers nuanced insights into NMGU's digital landscape. The key focus areas of this study are first - organizational culture, technology, and digital competencies. NMGU faces resistance to innovation rooted in a focus on traditional revenue streams, creating bureaucratic hurdles and a generational gap. Addressing these challenges requires a proactive approach to technology integration and …

An Assessment Of High-Performance Work System On The Survival Of The Print Media In Tanzania, Frank Sanga

Theses & Dissertations

This study assessed the high-performance work system (HPWS) on the survival of print media in Tanzania. The study was guided by three specific objectives namely; (i) to assess the extent to which the high-performance work system is practised in Mwananchi and Nipashe newsrooms, (ii) to assess the correlation between the high-performance work system and the performance of Mwananchi and Nipashe newspapers, and (iii) to examine challenges of practicing HPWS in Mwananchi and Nipashe newspapers. The study was based on qualitative research approach. This approach was applied for the purpose of getting in-depth information from the sample of 24 respondents from …

Social Media And Journalism: A Study Of Whatsapp Use In Newsroom Convergence At Nation Media Group In Kenya, Bernard Mwinzi

Theses & Dissertations

This study seeks to investigate how news organisations can tap into the interactivity, convenience and fast speeds of the social, multi-media networking site WhatsApp to aid in both news gathering and processing, as well as convergence. It is prompted by the fact that Kenyan media are at a crossroads. As they transition from analogue technologies, they are faced with the dilemma of choosing which new habits and processes to adopt. To make matters worse, even before they settle on the right technology, they are being forced to adopt the concept of convergence, where the various print, audio, and visual platforms …

Transmedia Journalism And Financial Sustainability In Uganda’S Legacy Media, Yonah Ahabwe Nkirirehi

Theses & Dissertations

The media world over continues to ponder over the most viable business models to sustain their business considering the effect disruption has had on their revenues as a media, but most importantly maintain their relevancy as a profession. As a result, media houses continue to make management moves in response to the disruption, and part of those is transmedia journalism. This study is set to analyse the adoption of transmedia journalism by Ugandan legacy media houses in the effect to address revenue challenges, the quality of journalistic content produced by these media houses, and their financial viability. Using a survey …

A Study To Investigate The Uptake Of Digital Technology In Ruben Fm Radio Station, Nahashon Shisia Wasilwa

Theses & Dissertations

Having realized the potential of digital technologies, radio stations in Kenya have embraced technology to improve “interactivity with their listeners”. However, the extent to which digital technologies are used at radio stations and existing challenges and opportunities in uptake is yet to be established. The research's primary goal was to investigate technology uptake in Ruben FM radio stations. Specifically, the study sought to examine the extent of use of the existing digital technologies in Ruben FM radio station, explore other digital technology opportunities for uptake in Ruben FM radio station and establish challenges facing digital technology uptake in Ruben FM …

How Climate Change Advocacy By Ngos In Kenya Is Covered By The Media, Victor Anyura Oluoch

Theses & Dissertations

The world is dealing with the effects of climate change, and the threats appear more menacing in developing countries like Kenya. The case for dealing with the effects of climate change is made more significant because Kenya’s economy largely depends on natural resources such as agriculture, tourism and energy to support its growing population. These challenges require the concerted efforts of various stakeholders to bring about meaningful solutions. With its power to set and influence agendas, the media is crucial, and so are environmental NGOs working with various communities to develop solutions. In this environment, NGOs and the news media …

Implementation Of New Vision’S Digital Strategy: Analysis Of The Website, E-Paper, And Social Media Platforms, Obonyo Frank Nyanjeye

Theses & Dissertations

There is an increased shift from traditional to digital media operations in Africa. The general objective of this study was to analyse the adoption and implementation of the digital strategy of the New Vision with a focus on the challenges and opportunities to help understand the shift from traditional to digital media. This study investigated the implementation of New Vision’s digital strategy, focusing on the website, e-paper and social media platforms. The study employed an in-depth interview guide for data collection: The collected data was transcribed and organized following the research questions. The data was reviewed and explored deductively, then …

Examining The Adoption Of Mobile Journalism In Uganda’S Newsrooms: A Case Of Nbs Tv And Ntv, Eve Masawi

Theses & Dissertations

Mobile journalism has increasingly become popular in television newsrooms due to the burgeoning number of audiences using mobile devices and social media. Scholarship in mobile journalism has analyzed news gathering, production and dissemination and content production for mobile users. However, no studies focus on adopting mobile journalism within Uganda’s newsrooms. This study aimed to examine the adoption of mobile journalism in newsrooms in Uganda using the case study of NBS TV and NTV newsrooms. The study employed diffusion of innovation and adopted a mixed methods research approach and case study design, employing survey (N=109) and in-depth interviews (N=12) as data …

An Analysis Of Newspaper Coverage Of Far-Flung Counties In Kenya, Galgallo Duba Fayo

Theses & Dissertations

This study explored how the Kenyan Print Media covers far-flung counties, with a case study of Marsabit, Turkana and Mandera counties. The following research objectives guided the study: (i) To analyse the prominence of Marsabit, Turkana and Mandera Counties issues by the Daily Nation and The Standard (ii) To determine the frames that the Daily Nation used and The Standard in coverage of issues from far-flung counties and (iii) To analyse the extent to which stories from the three counties published by the publications draw from local sources and realities. The two newspapers were selected from the population of 44 …

The Acquisition Of Knowledge And Practical Skills By Freelance Media Practitioners In The Digital Era, Loyce Achieng’ Odhiambo

Theses & Dissertations

This study sought to understand how freelance media practitioners are acquiring knowledge and practical skills for the different newsrooms they produce content for in the current digital world, a time when there are dynamic technological trends and an audience that is not only changing but also creating news and media content. The study was based on the Skill Acquisition Theory, which describes how people progress in learning a variety of skills, from beginner to advanced proficiency. The study employed quantitative and qualitative methods by use of questionnaires and interview guides. Data emanating from the questionnaires were analysed using SPSS and …

Uses And Gratifications Of Sensationalised Content On The Digital Native News Websites In Kenya, Lynet Igadwah

Theses & Dissertations

The changing media landscape in a digital era has led to increased competition between legacy and new media as the clamour for audience attention takes centre stage. As more people move to access their news online, online-only journalistic brands, otherwise known as digital native news websites, are giving mainstream media a run for their money. These sites are tapping more on internet penetration and digital technologies to drive traffic to their sites particularly using social media as a window. These digital native sites are typically big on photos, bear flashy and bold headlines and are more entertainment-focused, emphasising attracting eyeballs …

Newsroom Convergence And Journalists Productivity: A Case Of Nation Media Group Uganda, Desire Ruth

Theses & Dissertations

As the world increasingly digitizes, the media industry has not been spared, and one such manifestation has been through media convergence. With the advent of convergence, the operations of media organisations have been disrupted with various ramifications on the media industry. One of the areas which has been affected by media convergence is journalists’ productivity. Drawing from various scholarly texts, media publications, observations and interviews this study explored the impact of convergence on journalists’ productivity at Nation Media Group Uganda, which fully converged its operations in 2017. The study is hinged on two theories; Media convergence theory and disruptive innovation …

The Changing Ecology Of News: The Impact Of Social Networking Sites On The Production Of News And The Gatekeeping Role Of Legacy Media Editors, Derrick Oluoch

Theses & Dissertations

The media landscape is changing, especially as more and more media audiences embrace social networking sites and consume their news content from social networking sites. Even as media organizations grapple with declining operations due to their traditional models of operation, media editors face a myriad of challenges, including competing with citizen journalism as they push to maintain and retain their journalistic duty of gatekeeping. In the face of the changing ecology of news, this study sought to establish the impact of social networking sites on the production of news and on the gatekeeping role of legacy media editors. The objectives …

Ruben Fm And Its Involvement In Socio-Economic Challenges Of Mukuru Kwa Ruben Slums Of Nairobi, Henix Obuchunju

Theses & Dissertations

vii ABSTRACT Slums are a reflection of underdeveloped and marginalisation. It is so yet the traditional watchdog genre of journalism and the commercial press are both as old as the slums themselves. Past studies show that community radios are struggling with feedback. As such they are yet to assess their value to the world. This study sought to assess the impact of the Mukuru kwa Ruben-based Ruben FM in addressing the socio- economic needs of its listeners; and whether it is advancing the tenets of Solutions Journalism practice. That is; coverage of solutions rather than the problems. The study relied …

Moi’S Legacy – Remembrance Or Mis-Remembrance? Four Kenyan Dailies’ Coverage Of Late President Moi Following His Demise On February 4, 2020, Dennis Oduor Ogongo

Theses & Dissertations

When Kenya’s second and longest-serving President died on February 4, 2020, four local dailies Daily Nation, The Standard, People Daily and The Star were dominated by stories around his legacy. This was because Moi was the longest-serving President in Kenya, having been in power for 24 years, unprecedented. His tenure in power was marred with various controversial events, including an attempted coup, a single-party state, amongst many other events that have had a significant impact in Kenya’s history, making his death an event of interest to reevaluate his legacy. This study aimed to analyze the dominant thematic narratives in the …

Analysis Of Kenya’S Print Media Framing Of The Dusit D2 Terror Suspects, Ibrahim Galgalo Bocha

Theses & Dissertations

The reporting of Terror Incidents (TIs) by the media in Kenya started when the first case was reported under the reign of President Jomo Kenyatta (1963-1978), with the first incident reported in 1980, when Palestinian militants staged an attack at Norfolk Hotel on New Year’s eve. Whereas the media has had to balance covering TIs in a timely, factual and objective manner, journalists also need to frame their narratives to reflect the event's social, economic and psychological dimensions. They strive to avoid sensationalism, bias and a presentation of facts that could be seen to fan militants’ propaganda. This study aimed …

Evaluating The Impact Of Defamation Judgments On Coverage Of Corruption By Kenyan Media: A Case Study Of Standard Group Plc And Nation Media Group, John Kamau Muthoni

Theses & Dissertations

The media in Kenya has been under much pressure to remodel the news business to attract revenue amidst technology disruption, tough regulations and defamation cases. This study set out to evaluate the impact of defamation judgments in the coverage of corruption in Kenya. It employed questionnaires and oral interviews as ways or tools of gathering data. Data was collected at two levels: interviews with editors, and questionnaires administered to journalists. Purposive sampling was used to select Nation Media Group (NMG) and Standard Group (SG) in Nairobi as the study locations and a sample of 10 editors. In addition, 242 journalists …