Media coverage of the constitution review stalemate: a content analysis of the mainstream print media in Kenya

Abstract

This research paper analyses the manner in which the four main daily newspapers in Kenya covered the stalemate period in the constitution review process. It uses content analysis to study the period between December 19, 1999 to March 22, 2001. This study is both quantitative and qualitative. The results of the analysis indicate that while the mainstream media gave high visibility coverage to the issue, it indulged in interpretative journalism. They therefore failed to play their agenda-setting role to its full extent. However, all the papers gave significant space to the issue. There has not been much research in this area and therefore this study forms part of the initial body of material that future studies call build on.