Media Priming of Road Traffic Accidents in Kenya

Praxis, Patterns, and Issues

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3363545
AutoresHezron Mogambi (0000-0002-5047-9481, University of Nairobi, autor correspondente), Florence Nyakeri (Mount Kenya University)
Ano2015
Volume5
Fascículo4
Data de publicação2015-10-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSAGE Open (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/2158244015606491
OpenAlexW2225673015
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas10

This article examines how the print media in Kenya reported road traffic accidents (RTAs). Using the priming theory, the article sought to identify the patterns of reporting and issues arising from such reporting of RTAs in the print media in Kenya. This is because the cost of RTAs in Kenya to the economy is estimated at Ksh. 14 billion per year. The study was a content analysis of two leading newspapers in Kenya- Daily Nation and the Standard newspapers. Data were collected using an analysis of the stories contained in the leading newspapers that related to RTAs. The content of 251 articles on RTAs was reviewed. A thematic analysis was done on the data which was then presented using simple tabular comparison of means, graphs, charts, and text. It was found that the newspapers play a significant role in passing on RTA information to the public, although a lot still needs to be done to address an obvious gap. Print media should improve its reportage of RTAs, the way it reports and primes it, and the amount of space allocated to stories on RTAs. Therefore, more space needs to be allocated to road safety issues even as all stakeholders should be encouraged to share information and opinions regarding road safety through the media. Information on RTAs and associated issues need to be published in prime pages regularly and not only when reporting on road crashes

Advertising · Business · Content analysis · Developing country · Economic growth · Economics · Geography · Newspaper · Political science · Print media · Public relations · Qualitative research · Road traffic · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Transport engineering · Crime, Deviance, and Social Control · Disaster Management and Resilience · Engineering · Traffic and Road Safety