Home > Medical Research Archives > Issue 149 > Where does this buck stop? Media conferment of responsibility for the spread of HIV/AIDS in Uganda: A newspaper framing analysis
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Published in the Medical Research Archives
May 2024 Issue
Where does this buck stop? Media conferment of responsibility for the spread of HIV/AIDS in Uganda: A newspaper framing analysis
Published on May 21, 2024
DOI
Abstract
This study examines how responsibility for the spread, treatment, and prevention of HIV/AIDS in Uganda was framed in the print media, specifically in two newspapers, The New Vision and The Daily Monitor, over a twenty-year period from 1992 to 2011. The research employs framing theory, which explores how news reports shape the way audiences perceive and interpret issues. Focuse was on two types of frames: thematic frames, which provide a broad contextual understanding of the issue, and episodic frames, which focus on specific cases or events. The findings reveal that throughout the study period, the thematic frame was the most dominant in both newspapers, emphasizing a societal approach to addressing HIV/AIDS. This suggests that the media portrayed the responsibility for HIV/AIDS as a collective one, requiring the involvement of society as a whole. Thematic framing allows for in-depth discussions and resolution of the issue, promoting a holistic approach to addressing the epidemic. The results highlight the consistency in media framing of HIV/AIDS in Uganda, reflecting the commitment of leadership, especially by the head of state to tackle the issue comprehensively. With all this however, the society still suffered stigma in relation to HIV. The limitation to this study is the focus on only on two English newspapers and suggests that future research should consider a broader range of media outlets. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into how the media frames the responsibility for HIV/AIDS, emphasizing the importance of thematic framing for promoting a holistic approach to addressing health concerns in a community. Understanding the framing of HIV/AIDS in the media can inform strategies for both health and the media organisations to effectively engage the public.
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