Communication Technology and New Media Commons^™

Out Of Newsrooms And Back Into Classrooms: The Experiences Of Journalists In Master’S Studies., Simon Riitho

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

The purpose of this research was to better understand the experiences of journalists as master’s students. In Kenya, master’s programs have expanded significantly, attracting journalists who view them as opportunities to upskill and enhance their abilities. The researcher involved journalists from various newsrooms in Kenya to learn why they enrolled, the causes of study delay, and interventions that empower them to complete. In this study, 33 journalists from four newsrooms in Kenya accepted the call to participate in the study, either via answering questionnaires or interviews. Of this total, 31% of the participants (11 journalists) volunteered to be interviewed, while …

An Analysis Of Newspaper Coverage Of Far-Flung Counties In Kenya, Henix Obuchunju

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

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 on a …

A Study Of How Leadership Influences Newsroom Convergence In Radio Africa Group., Francis Mureithi Gatimu

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

This study sought how media houses have been implementing convergence from a leadership perspective due to digital disruption and shrinking resources to run newsrooms with Radio Africa Group (RAG) being picked for case study. Four objectives guided it: 1) Examination of newsroom integration processes employed by Kenyan media houses in their transition to converged newsrooms 2) Examination of the role played by newsroom leaders in driving newsroom convergence 3) An assessment of factors associated with successful implementation of newsroom convergence 4) Exploration of the challenges Kenyan newsrooms face in the implementation of convergence. The study used Media Convergence theory, where …

Covid-19 Disruptions And Coping Strategies For Media Houses In Uganda: Case Of Next Media Services, Arthur Matsiko

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

News production in the legacy media houses occurs in enclosed spaces. Editors, reporters, sub-editors, and news producers discuss and develop story ideas for production and dissemination on television, radio and print platforms. However, the Covid-19 pandemic presented a significant change in the traditional operation of the newsroom. This disruption interfered with the journalistic norms of story ideation, news sourcing, gatekeeping and distribution. Local and regional media organisations struggled through the Covid-19 pandemic because technological adoption mechanisms had long been dragged. By the time the pandemic hit Ugandan newsrooms, most media houses lacked fall-back plans, which led to several changes such …

Streamlining Public Engagement In Transportation Projects Using Text Analytics, Alireza Shamshiri

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Infrastructure projects impact a broad range of stakeholders, particularly local communities, whose engagement is critical for successful outcomes. Despite the importance of public engagement in these projects, traditional methods of capturing and analyzing public opinion often fail to fully represent the diverse, genuine perspectives involved. This has led to conflicts between community members and project sponsors. On the other hand, despite advancements in text analytics, including natural language processing (NLP) and its subfields such as topic modeling, sentiment analysis, and neural networks, their functionalities and effectiveness in analyzing public opinion in the domain of infrastructure projects have not been fully …

Assessing Technology Usage In Relation To The Quality Of Life In Autistic Children, Cristina Costescu, Ioana Tufar, Laura Chezan, Mălina Șogor, Alexandra Confederat

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and duration of technology use by autistic children, their primary activities when engaging with technology, and the association between technology use and quality of life. We assumed that technology serves as a means of communication with peers, and it is associated with an improved quality of life.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 61 parents of autistic children aged 5-10 years old. The Quality of Life for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Scale was used to measure children's quality of life based on parent report, and the Technology Use …

An Analysis Of The Contribution Of Industrial Attachment In Journalism Training In Kenya: Challenges And Opportunities For An Effective Framework, Yusuf Ali Lakicha

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

In Journalism Schools, industrial attachment is an integral part of media education, offering students valuable opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings and gain practical skills necessary for successful careers in the media industry. It is an essential part of an academic programme where students augment the practical skills learnt in school in an actual work environment. This study examined the contribution of industrial attachment in journalism, with a focus on arguably Kenya’s leading media organization, Royal Media Services, which has three television stations and 12 radio stations. The objective of the study was to assess the structure of …

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

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

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 …

Integration Of User-Generated Content On News Reporting: A Case Study Of A Tanzanian Print Newspaper., David Lyoba Mbulumi

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This research investigated the integration of user-generated content (UGC) in Tanzanian print newspapers and its effect on news reporting in the digital era. UGC, comprising text, images, videos, and audio created by users, has gained prominence due to the rise of social media and citizen journalism. The research employed a mixedmethods approach, starting with content analysis of a selected Tanzanian print newspaper over six days to quantify the prevalence and characteristics of UGC. Qualitative interviews with key stakeholders, including a newspaper editor, a reporter, readers, and the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), provide additional insights. The newspaper incorporates an average …

Analyzing The Viability Of Subscription Revenue Model For The Standard Group In Kenya., Anthony Manyonge Makokha

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The capstone project investigated the subscription-based revenue Model in the context of news content, using The Standard Group in Kenya as a case study. The aim was to evaluate the viability and impact of this Model in sustaining quality journalism amidst changing consumption patterns and unpredictable advertising revenues in the digital age. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrated qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Through extensive literature review, industry analysis, interviews with experts, stakeholders, and consumer surveys, it explored the historical evolution, merits, challenges, and perceptions regarding paid news content in Kenya. The study focused on The Standard Group, a leading …

Harnessing The Potential Of Digital Media For Business Growth Of Legacy Media In Kenya., Lilian Odera

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

In today’s digital era, businesses in Kenya have a unique opportunity to leverage digital technology to drive growth, improve operational efficiency, and enhance customer experiences. By embracing digital transformation, the media industry can expand its market reach, streamline operations, foster innovation, and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving business landscape. However, this transition is not without challenges, including cybersecurity risks, skills gaps, and ethical considerations. This study provides an analysis of the digital technology for business growth of the legacy media in Kenya. To conduct this research, a descriptive research design was employed, and the researcher collected primary data from …

Adapting Legacy-Press Digital Platforms To Generation Z Media Needs: A Case Study Of Nation Africa, Kenya., Harry Cheng’Oli Misiko

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This study explores the product, content design and strategies that Nation.Africa is currently employing to meet the media needs of Generation Z. Using a qualitative research approach and case study method, the research sought to identify chasms between what Nation.Africa is currently offering what the post-millennials want. The findings indicate Nation.Africa’s products that target to serve Generation Z media needs are those that seek to empower them, entertain them, inform them, help them progress in life, and get information in their most preferred formats— audio and visual. The research also established that Nation.Africa attempts to design content targeted at the …

Analysis Of Media Convergence At Vision Group Uganda, Semei Wessaali

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This research delves into the phenomenon of media convergence within Vision Group, concentrating on key factors influencing its implementation. Employing a cross-sectional approach, the study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data from Vision Group staff and audiences. The primary objectives include assessing staff perceptions of content quality post-convergence, examining the organizational response to convergence, and scrutinizing audience consumption patterns. The results demonstrate a notable enhancement in content quality, with journalists in a converged system exhibiting improved output. Positive outcomes are also attributed to organizational and cultural changes that support convergence, including staff training, promotion of collaborations, and …

Local Content Monetization Strategies For Revenue Generation Employed By Independent Tv Producers On Ott Platforms In Kenya., Misiko Andere

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The rapid growth of over-the-top (OTT) platforms has revolutionized the way video content is marketed and consumed and provided a unique opportunity for Kenyan content creators to showcase their creative storytelling work to a global audience. However, the lack of bankable/effective monetization strategies poses significant hurdles for local producers; this is largely due to the various ways in which the content is consumed and the variations of the same content on internet-enabled platforms that are linked to the OTT platforms such as mobile and online platforms linked to the streaming services. Accordingly, the objective of this capstone project is to …

Employing Data Visualization For Effective Health Communication In Nairobi, Kenya: A Study Of Select Media Houses., Rabudi Charles Mark

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This capstone project analyzes how journalists use data visualization to communicate health information. With the advent of evidence-based practice in medical communication, it is necessary to provide health information in a way that raises public health awareness and changes individual behaviour for beneficial health outcomes. The use of data visualization tools such as charts, graphs, and maps aids in the presentation of data patterns and insights, improving knowledge, engagement, and decision-making in the field of health communication. The study seeks to identify the types of health data visualization commonly employed by journalists in Kenya; assess the level of training and …

Strategies For Growing Audience For Community Radio In The Digital Era. The Case Of Arua One Fm., Grace Rechue Lekuru

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The media landscape has been profoundly transformed by the emergence of digital technologies and the internet, posing both challenges and opportunities for community radios to reach and expand their audiences. Through an in-depth case study analysis, this research aims to examine approaches and tactics utilized by Arua One FM, shedding light on the broader strategies that community radios can adopt to thrive amidst the dynamic digital disruptions in the media industry. Arua One FM is a rural community radio located in the North-West of Uganda and owned by Vision Group. This study employed qualitative methodologies with a focus on the …

Digital Transformation In A Legacy Media House: A Case Study Of Nation Media Group’S Tag Brand Studio, Sheila Adam

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

Media organizations in Kenya face significant obstacles, with the major ones being financial limitations and technological disruptions. Consequently, these challenges have necessitated the adoption of digital transformation as a means for media houses to sustain their operations and maintain their relevance in the eyes of their audience. Organizations around the world have opted to establish in-house brand studios or agencies to provide creative services and support their branding and marketing efforts by carrying out tasks typically handled by external agencies. Nation Media Group established Tag Brand Studio, an in-house digital marketing agency that develops and implements long-term digital marketing strategies …

Universities As Innovation Hubs For Television Stations In Uganda., Imokola John Baptist

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

Television in Uganda continues to struggle to deal with changes in the industry, which has ultimately led to the closure or restructuring of many organizations. Many of those that remain are also struggling to survive in the market. For them to remain successful and viable, they need to constantly innovate to deal with these changes, as well as satisfy the needs of their audience. Innovation, however, is expensive in terms of time, finances and human resources. This study set out to examine the possibilities of using journalism schools in universities as innovation hubs for the television industry. The study was …

The Viability Of Online Niche Market Programming By Radio Stations In Uganda: An Analysis Of Cbs Fm., Samson Bill Nyatia

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This study about niche marketing for a radio operator in Uganda, CBS FM, is set in the context of an altered media landscape in which shifting fortunes and emergent opportunities present the need for new product development, spurred in part by the pressures of balancing the interests of a multiplicity of stakeholders, whose needs outpace the station’s broadcasting and revenue-generating capacity. Faced with intense competition, a disruptive set of new media operations, as well as an aggressive buyer’s market, CBS FM must now consider tapping into the capabilities availed by technology, to serve its clientele better. The first chapter explores …

Examining The Role Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Transforming Print Journalism In Uganda., Robert Mukasa

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This study provides an analysis of the current state of artificial intelligence adoption in two privately funded print media houses in Uganda: The Observer and Daily Monitor." The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into journalism has been touted as a transformative force with several advantages and disadvantages, including improvements in workflow efficiency, content accuracy, and audience engagement. Despite this potential, the adoption of AI in Ugandan print journalism has been slow, due to challenges such as limited access to technological resources and a lack of AI literacy among journalists. Using the Technology Acceptance Model as a guiding framework, the study …