Effects of Mass Media on Civil Rights Agenda Setting in Mogadishu, Somalia

Abstract

Empirical evidence of the effects of mass media on civil rights agenda setting is largely unknown, particularly in Mogadishu, Somalia. The study sought to establish effects of mass media advocacy; mass media reporting; and media lobbying on civil rights agenda setting. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design where both qualitative data and quantitative data were collected. The study was anchored on the agenda setting theory and sense making theory. The semi-structured questionnaires and interview schedules were used in collection of data. The authorization to conduct this study was sought from Kenyatta University and Ministries in-charge of research in Kenya and Somalia respectively. The research instruments was developed by the researcher and appraised for validity. Pilot study was conducted in one of the selected locations of Mogadishu to assessment for the validity and reliability of the study tools. Qualitative data was arranged thematically and presented in narrative forms, while quantitative data analyzed through descriptive statistics infrequencies and percentages and then presented in tables and graphs. The findings showed that majority of the respondents hardly witnessed civil rights issues being mobilized in the social media. It also revealed that mass media reporting on civil rights issues reportage as very poor while, calling for the need to mobilize mass media actors around civil rights issues. It was also noted that majority of responses observed that lobbying activities of civil rights in Mogadishu greatly influenced the administration of civil rights’ activities in Mogadishu