The impact of gender-based violence on mass media in Kampala City

Abstract

The role of the media in gender based violence (GBV) awareness cannot be ignored. However, it is a common perception among media scholars today, that there is a progressive shrinkage in media coverage on GBV the study shows that the ratio of men to women is 49:51, yet women are still stereotyped as dependent and passive beings who barely contribute to the development process within the society and still victimized the most when it comes to GBV. Media content usually reflect society's perceptions and beliefs meaning that society sometimes determines what is shown in the media. The study is based on the assumption that GBV hasn’t been given enough recognition, assistance and attention, in relation to GBV issues which violate women rights. The study also sets out to highlight the different ways in which media portrays GBV. Television, newspaper, radio and internet gadgets were selected as the media platforms for the case study, due to their wide circulation allover Kampala City. the methods of research that was employed to carry out this study was quantitative in nature and expert sampling was employed to carryout the interviews. The study findings prove the hypothesis of the study right. Most of the findings indicated the serial nature of gender based violence (GBV) and highlighted the views people had on the matter. The study generally recommends the media to emphasize GBV awareness more in the media.