News coverage and distribution have come a long way since the early days when publishing houses like The NewVision, The Monitor, and the Kampala Gazette were the main sources of information. Today, the scene has grown to include WhatsApp groups, e-papers, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit threads as sources of news and information. Despite the growing cases of misinformation and fraudulent posts tailored for engagement; Uganda’s youth consume digital news with vigor. Thus, the question arises: Do they place more trust in online news than in traditional print media?
To better understand this, it’s essential to examine how information is gathered, presented, and consumed in each medium. Traditional print media, despite its speed challenges, has long been seen as a trusted source. A print story typically undergoes multiple stages of fact-checking, editorial reviews, and approvals before it reaches the reader. This layered approach to news reporting is aimed at ensure credibility, accuracy, and ethical journalism.
Digital platforms like X and Reddit, on the other hand, thrive on the immediacy of user-generated content, often bypassing the rigorous editing process that print media requires. Here, information can be shared as it happens, often accompanied by images and videos taken by eyewitnesses themselves on scene. While this raw, unfiltered access to unfolding events is a strength of these platforms, it also becomes a weakness. Digital news may be “closer” to the events, but it also has a higher likelihood of including inaccuracies.
One reason young Ugandans trust online news sources is their accessibility. Mobile phones and social media apps have made it possible to access information instantly, and this ease of access naturally draws us, a generation used to the rapid speed of the internet. According to a recent survey, around 80% of Ugandans ages 18-35 regularly access news through social media platforms while fewer are purchasing newspapers. And true, waiting for tomorrow’s print edition feels rather outdated for many young people who can get real-time updates in just a few clicks-and-scrolls through their feeds.
Moreover, another appeal of online news is in its ‘rawness.’ The unfiltered nature of digital reporting can feel more transparent, and more ‘real’ compared to the carefully curated and sometimes sanitized reports in national print publications. A citizen video on-site, describing what transpired as he tours around often feels more like an insider perspective, which resonates with many readers seeking a direct connection to the story.
The trade-off for this convenience, however, is the question of reliability. While traditional print media benefits from a structured verification process for its pieces, digital news sources do not always prioritize accuracy. Platforms like X, Reddit, and even the WhatsApp groups, where footage often leaks, rely heavily on user-generated content. On these platforms, the drive for engagement—through likes, shares, and views—often takes precedence over the pursuit of truth. In fact, research shows that sensationalized/polarizing news content is more likely to be amplified through algorithms on these platforms, ultimately spreading misinformation…not to mention AI deepfakes making rounds these days.
So why then, would these Gen Z Ugandans trust online news despite its vulnerabilities?
In part, it may come down to familiarity digital natives feel they are generally able to distinguish questionable content online and may even feel equipped to discern between trustworthy and untrustworthy sources. But the reality is that the overwhelming influx of online information, together we out pressure and need to ‘stay updated’ often blurs the lines between credible news and speculative or outright false stories.
Another factor driving young Ugandans towards digital news is the perception that traditional media might sometimes withhold and skew certain stories, especially those involving high-profile figures or sensitive political matters. When a newspaper or television station hesitates to address controversial topics, the assumption is often that digital platforms will fill in the gaps.
Digital platforms, especially those that allow real-time posting from the scene of an accident can offer a level of transparency that print media can not match. For instance, during a public demonstration, an online witness account might provide a live-stream video, while traditional media will wait to confirm the details before publishing and at specific times when news is broadcast. This immediacy and perceived ‘freedom’ of online news make it a go-to source for young people eager for an unfiltered view of current events.
In the long run, the choice between print and digital media isn’t an all-or-nothing decision but rather viewed in the prospect that both mediums offer valuable insights, albeit with their own strengths and weaknesses.
To try and bridge the gap within the modern news landscape, native publications have established online alternatives that try to capture benefits from the online news part. Platforms like The NilePost, The Monitor, and The NewVision have all established their online publications, some even building mobile apps to capture the youth’s reliance on online coverage.
True, digital news offers speed and accessibility, but print still holds the mantle of rigorous reporting and editorial oversight. In the end, we continue to navigate both worlds, finding a balance between immediacy and accuracy.
