Date of Award

2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA) in Digital Journalism​

First Advisor

George Nyabuga

Department

Graduate School of Media and Communications

Abstract

Data journalism allows journalists to present balanced, accurate, and relevant news, thereby greatly improving the quality and credibility of the news. Data in this context refers to facts, statistics, or pieces of information and journalism refers to the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting news, or operating a news organization. This thesis uses a mixed-method approach to assess the use of data journalism in the 2022 Kenyan general election across three media houses, namely: the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Nation Media Group (NMG), and Royal Media Services (RMS). The approach used combines qualitative and quantitative methods to address research issues that might not be adequately covered by the use of a single method. It aims to explore, through content analysis of online articles published between May 29, 2022, and August 15, 2022, complemented by interviews with key informants, the use of data journalism by the media organisations. The research uses the theory of actor networks as it presents a framing that explains the interaction between journalists, technology, and data during news production. The findings show how data journalism is being increasingly used in the electoral reporting of Kenya, using it to combat misinformation, enhance voter education, and facilitating transparency with interactive tools and real-time visualizations. Three media houses presented election statistics, opinion polls, and socio-economic data that further enhanced the public understanding of the electoral processes for a more informed and engaged electorate. The findings also highlight that the three media houses have comprehensively invested in data-driven methods and tools to mark a shift in the coverage of electoral processes. Particularly, Journalism played a significant role in improving the quality of the general elections through evidence reporting and interactive story telling. It is through this shift, therefore, that such journalism will play a major role in shaping civic engagement and democratic participation.

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