Print media content for children a critical assessment of its effects: a case study of Sunday Nation and Sunday Standard

Abstract

In Kenya, there is a growing concern about the role and impact of the media in the lives of children that continues to pester parents, teachers, policy makers, media professionals and other stakeholders. The main issue is whether the available media content for children is appropriate and if so, is it diverse and balanced? If not, what should be done to improve it? This study targets school going children aged ten to twelve years and undertook a content analysis of the two print dailies(Nation and Standard) in Kenya. The Sunday Nation runs a children magazine known as Young Nation while the Sunday Standard runs Twinkle. Sunday Nation was chosen, as it has the widest coverage and highest circulation, and therefore reaches the widest audience. The Standard has the second highest circulation. The Sunday newspapers content coverage for children was analyzed from January to June 2005. They represent the prevailing scenario of children content in print media. However, the study does not propose that the Sunday newspapers cover all children content adequately. Through these magazines, children have an opportunity to express their opinion and discuss various issues affecting their lives or those of interest to them. Since the content is absolutely on children issues, their concerns and debates are published. Though there are youth and children's pullouts in the weekend editions of both the Sunday Standard and Sunday Nation, children media seem to be handled inadequately. Apart from this, there's a distinct bias in favour of the adults. Children like adults, explore and interact with print media to meet and fulfil their various needs, which include informational and entertainment. The media plays a role in the development of children as a socio - cultural and educational vehicle.