This study conducted by the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) examines how six leading media outlets (newspapers and television stations) in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania covered solar energy and its productive use in agriculture from January to December 2024. Based on a quantitative content analysis, the report evaluates volume of coverage, diversity of topics, prominence, and regional variations, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and actionable opportunities for improvement.
The report follows up on a 2023 baseline study, conducted by ACME. It evaluates the progress achieved in coverage of solar energy and its productive us in agriculture in light of a training and editorial support initiative that benefitted several journalists across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Key findings:
- Increased coverage, yet limited depth: Media coverage around the solar energy sector increased by 79% from 63 stories in 2023 to 113 in 2024
- Regional disparities: Solar energy reporting varied significantly across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
- Low story prominence: Solar energy stories rarely received prime placement in the newspapers and broadcast slots
- Sourcing trend and gender imbalance: Sourcing practices improved significantly, with 72.2% of stories quoting three or more sources, compared to 35.2% in 2023.
- Underreported stories and innovations: While solar irrigation remained the dominant focus, accounting for 67.1% of agriculture-related solar energy stories at endline, other impactful solutions received far less attention.
Read the full report below.
