Policies on Requirement for Geographical Responsive News Affects News Coverage in Print and Social Media Channels in Kenya

Annie Gitau; Daniel Mwendwa Kitonga; Peter Njoroge Kariuki

doi:10.51867/ajernet4.1.5

Authors

Annie Gitau Tangaza University College, Catholic University of Eastern Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7309-0105
Daniel Mwendwa Kitonga Tangaza University College, Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Peter Njoroge Kariuki Presbyterian University of East Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet4.1.5

Keywords:

Policies, Requirement for Geographical Responsive News, News Coverage, Social Transformation, Print and Social Media Channels, Kenya

Abstract

Geographic proximity is one of the most frequently occurring factors that contribute to newsworthiness. Journalism places an emphasis on proximity in its selection criteria for news stories, which prioritize cultural and geographical proximity as one of their primary considerations. Because of this, the aspect of newsworthiness that is most dependent on whether or not the piece of information being delivered has an influence on the audience of a news outlet. Yet, less research has been done on the part that proximity plays in the geographical locations nearby. In light of this, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which policies on the demand for geographically responsive news affect news coverage. The news coverage provided by Nation Media Group was subjected to a quantitative content analysis with a sample size of sixty. In light of this, the study prompted the respondents to provide their responses to a series of statements in order to establish the extent to which policies on the demand for geographically responsive news effect news coverage in print and social media channels in Kenya. According to the findings, media outlets frequently fail to respond to the need for local news because their attention is directed toward achieving the editorial policy standards for geographically balanced news coverage. In addition, journalists frequently have to deal with competing demands on their attention, which increases the likelihood that they will not adequately explore local news on matters of public interest. This ultimately results in inadequate coverage of the news. According to Pearson correlation, there was a statistically significant association between balanced geographical news coverage and news coverage (r=0.476, p<0.05). Based on these findings, the research hypothesis: HO: Editorial policies on demand for balanced geographical news coverage have no significant effect on the coverage of news in print and social media channels in Kenya. Based on the findings, the hypothesis was rejected. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) shows that balanced geographical news coverage could statistically and significantly predict news coverage, according to an analysis of variance (F=13.795, P<0.05). This was attested to by regression coefficients (t=3.714, p<0.05) that showed that balanced geographical news coverage) could statistically significantly predict news coverage, according to t-test results. The results suggest that geographical news coverage affects how news is covered. This could go on to impact the propensity of news coverage to contribute to social transformation in Kenya.

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