A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lectu... more A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, USIU-A.
This research content analyzes 2,794 news articles in four leading newspapers to compare variable... more This research content analyzes 2,794 news articles in four leading newspapers to compare variables that predicted the coverage of Kenya governors and senators between 2013 and 2017—within the theoretical perspectives of coverage based on “news values” and “mirror of political reality.” Findings show the strongest predictors for governors’ coverage are commenting on devolution and corruption topics, while senators’ visibility is determined by criticizing national government—all under “mirror of political reality” reporting.
A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lectu... more A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, USIU-A.
A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lectu... more A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, USIU-A.
While research on misinformation in Africa has increased in recent years, and despite a growing b... more While research on misinformation in Africa has increased in recent years, and despite a growing body of theoretical and empirical work that considers the role of governments, platforms, and users in stopping misinformation globally, there is still a lack of empirical research addressing ways to curb its spread on the continent. Research has coalesced around the idea that no single approach will work in all contexts, and effective strategies need to include media literacy, fact-checking, changes in how news is produced and circulated, government oversight, and regulations as well as responses that take local contexts into account. Using data from 36 focus groups in six sub-Saharan African countries, we examine audiences' experiences with misinformation and perceptions of institutional and personal roles and responsibility for both preventing and intervening in the spread of misinformation. First, we examine perceptions of misinformation with a particular focus on whether misinformation is perceived as "a problem." Second, we examine perceived responsibility for addressing misinformation and possible solutions to the problem. Findings suggest that participants perceive misinformation as a problem if it has real or potential negative consequences and express a sense of shared responsibility among individuals and institutions for stopping the spread of misinformation.
Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 2015
This Kenya national survey of journalists conducted in 2012 to 2013 ( n = 504) examines job satis... more This Kenya national survey of journalists conducted in 2012 to 2013 ( n = 504) examines job satisfaction, income satisfaction, and predictors of job satisfaction. Findings indicate that the vast majority of journalists are satisfied with their current jobs (83%). However, a clear majority (61.8%) are dissatisfied with their monthly incomes. Nearly a quarter of journalists fall in the monthly salary bracket of US$375 to US$625. Compared by gender, male and female journalists are equally satisfied with their jobs. Older journalists, radio journalists, high income earners, and full-time journalists reported higher job satisfaction. Income, job security, and job autonomy were the main predictors of job satisfaction.
This national survey conducted in 2012–2013 (N = 504) examines demographic characteristics of the... more This national survey conducted in 2012–2013 (N = 504) examines demographic characteristics of the Kenyan journalists. Findings indicate that the typical Kenyan journalist is male (66%), married (57%), and in his mid-30s (M = 34 years). He tends to have a Bachelor’s degree (46%) and has received college-level training in journalism or communication (91%). However, when it comes to majoring in journalism or communication, most of the journalists were trained at the level of associate degree (45%), followed by Bachelor’s degree (38.5%) and Master’s degree (13.6%). Thirty-three percent of the Kenyan journalists work in daily newspapers, with 73 percent of them employed on full-time basis. In ethnic grouping, about a quarter (24.9%) of Kenyan news people belong to the Kikuyu tribe, followed by Luhya tribe (20%). The results also indicate that the majority of the journalists are from the Rift Valley province (21.4%) – Kenya’s largest administrative unit – followed by Western (19.5%) and C...
The present research examines the coverage of 349 Kenyan politicians in four English national new... more The present research examines the coverage of 349 Kenyan politicians in four English national newspapers between 2013 and 2017. Within the contexts of media coverage based on news values, and reporting as a mirror of political reality, the study investigates whether gender, tribe, party size, seniority, committee or party leadership, commenting on corruption and devolution, and criticizing the government predicted the visibility of members of parliament (MPs) in newspaper news. Findings show that seniority, committee or party leadership, commenting on devolution and corruption, and criticizing government emerged as the main predictors of the parliamentarians’ coverage in news media. Overall, committee or party leadership, commenting on corruption, and criticizing the government were the strongest determinants of the MPs coverage.
Conducted in 2012 to 2013, the current national survey of Kenyan journalists ( N = 504) examines ... more Conducted in 2012 to 2013, the current national survey of Kenyan journalists ( N = 504) examines major characteristics of journalism and mass communication training in Kenya. Findings show that training in journalism or mass communication is a prerequisite to practice as a journalist in Kenya. While 45% of journalists were trained at the level of associate degree, 91% said they need to get further training. Kenya Institute of Mass Communication is the most popular institution of journalism and mass communication. Moreover, 65% of respondents perceive the quality of journalism training as good—Though in contrast to this favorable evaluation, local colleges face a litany of serious problems.
A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lectu... more A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, USIU-A.
This research content analyzes 2,794 news articles in four leading newspapers to compare variable... more This research content analyzes 2,794 news articles in four leading newspapers to compare variables that predicted the coverage of Kenya governors and senators between 2013 and 2017—within the theoretical perspectives of coverage based on “news values” and “mirror of political reality.” Findings show the strongest predictors for governors’ coverage are commenting on devolution and corruption topics, while senators’ visibility is determined by criticizing national government—all under “mirror of political reality” reporting.
A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lectu... more A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, USIU-A.
A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lectu... more A conference paper presented at the 2012 AEJMC CONFERENCE Chicago, Illinois by Kioko Ireri, lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, USIU-A.
While research on misinformation in Africa has increased in recent years, and despite a growing b... more While research on misinformation in Africa has increased in recent years, and despite a growing body of theoretical and empirical work that considers the role of governments, platforms, and users in stopping misinformation globally, there is still a lack of empirical research addressing ways to curb its spread on the continent. Research has coalesced around the idea that no single approach will work in all contexts, and effective strategies need to include media literacy, fact-checking, changes in how news is produced and circulated, government oversight, and regulations as well as responses that take local contexts into account. Using data from 36 focus groups in six sub-Saharan African countries, we examine audiences' experiences with misinformation and perceptions of institutional and personal roles and responsibility for both preventing and intervening in the spread of misinformation. First, we examine perceptions of misinformation with a particular focus on whether misinformation is perceived as "a problem." Second, we examine perceived responsibility for addressing misinformation and possible solutions to the problem. Findings suggest that participants perceive misinformation as a problem if it has real or potential negative consequences and express a sense of shared responsibility among individuals and institutions for stopping the spread of misinformation.
Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 2015
This Kenya national survey of journalists conducted in 2012 to 2013 ( n = 504) examines job satis... more This Kenya national survey of journalists conducted in 2012 to 2013 ( n = 504) examines job satisfaction, income satisfaction, and predictors of job satisfaction. Findings indicate that the vast majority of journalists are satisfied with their current jobs (83%). However, a clear majority (61.8%) are dissatisfied with their monthly incomes. Nearly a quarter of journalists fall in the monthly salary bracket of US$375 to US$625. Compared by gender, male and female journalists are equally satisfied with their jobs. Older journalists, radio journalists, high income earners, and full-time journalists reported higher job satisfaction. Income, job security, and job autonomy were the main predictors of job satisfaction.
This national survey conducted in 2012–2013 (N = 504) examines demographic characteristics of the... more This national survey conducted in 2012–2013 (N = 504) examines demographic characteristics of the Kenyan journalists. Findings indicate that the typical Kenyan journalist is male (66%), married (57%), and in his mid-30s (M = 34 years). He tends to have a Bachelor’s degree (46%) and has received college-level training in journalism or communication (91%). However, when it comes to majoring in journalism or communication, most of the journalists were trained at the level of associate degree (45%), followed by Bachelor’s degree (38.5%) and Master’s degree (13.6%). Thirty-three percent of the Kenyan journalists work in daily newspapers, with 73 percent of them employed on full-time basis. In ethnic grouping, about a quarter (24.9%) of Kenyan news people belong to the Kikuyu tribe, followed by Luhya tribe (20%). The results also indicate that the majority of the journalists are from the Rift Valley province (21.4%) – Kenya’s largest administrative unit – followed by Western (19.5%) and C...
The present research examines the coverage of 349 Kenyan politicians in four English national new... more The present research examines the coverage of 349 Kenyan politicians in four English national newspapers between 2013 and 2017. Within the contexts of media coverage based on news values, and reporting as a mirror of political reality, the study investigates whether gender, tribe, party size, seniority, committee or party leadership, commenting on corruption and devolution, and criticizing the government predicted the visibility of members of parliament (MPs) in newspaper news. Findings show that seniority, committee or party leadership, commenting on devolution and corruption, and criticizing government emerged as the main predictors of the parliamentarians’ coverage in news media. Overall, committee or party leadership, commenting on corruption, and criticizing the government were the strongest determinants of the MPs coverage.
Conducted in 2012 to 2013, the current national survey of Kenyan journalists ( N = 504) examines ... more Conducted in 2012 to 2013, the current national survey of Kenyan journalists ( N = 504) examines major characteristics of journalism and mass communication training in Kenya. Findings show that training in journalism or mass communication is a prerequisite to practice as a journalist in Kenya. While 45% of journalists were trained at the level of associate degree, 91% said they need to get further training. Kenya Institute of Mass Communication is the most popular institution of journalism and mass communication. Moreover, 65% of respondents perceive the quality of journalism training as good—Though in contrast to this favorable evaluation, local colleges face a litany of serious problems.
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