Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation (EMMLI)
First Supervisor/Advisor
George Nyabuga
Second Supervisor/Advisor
Peter Kimani
Department
Graduate School of Media and Communications
Abstract
This research assesses the participation and contribution of women in news processes at Vision Group, Uganda. Through a descriptive survey design, the study employs In-depth interviews and newsroom observations to achieve its objectives. These objectives include assessing women journalists' participation and contribution to news processes, Identifying if any gaps in the news production process would hinder the nurturing and promotion of gender-sensitive content and the viability and effectiveness of establishing a Gender desk to promote and nurture gender-sensitive content to stem the flagging audiences. The findings reveal that women's limited contribution and participation at the content-gathering level for news, politics, business and sports content limits their ability to broaden the pool of experience at the news desk and introduce new perspectives in content gathering and production. This demarcation also put a wedge between female and male reporters, with the former being given a better opportunity to contribute to the news gathering and production process The study further identifies gaps, such as limited knowledge among reporters, to break stereotypical patterns of gender biases, and no deliberate and conscious effort to increase gender awareness at the content gathering stage. In addition to this, the news desk is understaffed, with each reporter covering three assignments on average . Another significant finding is the lack of a system to monitor and report on gender balanced performance of the content produced In conclusion. This study recommends providing equal opportunities for all journalists to work on the diversity of beats, improving gender-sensitive reporting capacity, creating a network of sources to nurture gender-sensitive content, creating a system that monitors and reports performance on gender balance in content..and a Gender Desk at to revitalize gender-sensitive and gender-focused content to secure traction with the flagging female audiences.
Recommended Citation
Arinaitwe, Caroline. (2025). An assessment of participation and contribution of women journalists in news processes: a case of Vision Group, Uganda (Unpublished thesis). Nairobi: Aga Khan University - Graduate School of Media and Communications.
Included in
Gender and Sexuality Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Journalism Studies Commons, Mass Communication Commons
