The Influence of Print Media in Promoting Reading Culture Among Children in Masindi Municipality: A Case Study of Daily Monitor Publications.

Abstract

The study was intended to examine the role of print media in promoting reading culture among children in Masindi Municipality. The research was guided by the objectives of the study which were intended to; examine contributions of print media towards promoting children’s reading culture, identify the challenges encountered by print media in promoting reading culture among children and establish the strategies to overcome the challenges encountered by print media in promoting reading culture among children. The literature was reviewed in line with the objectives md the information was obtained from books, internet, journals and other an academic) publications. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. This helped the researcher in determining comprehensive explanation on role of print media in promoting reading culture among children. Quantitative approaches enabled the presentation of information in numerical terms whereas qualitative data gave expression of respondents’ fillings in the aspects of study. The researcher used 60 respondents whose data was presented, interpreted and analyzed. The researcher tabulated and graphed the findings in order to provide meaning to the information obtained. The researcher concluded that print media play a very; significant role in promoting reading culture among children evidenced by the majority respondents who strongly agreed and agreed. Print media promote reading culture among children which help them to construct meaning from text. Children acquire meaning through interacting with words, sentences, texts of all kinds and through accessing background mow ledge to make predictions about the meanings of new text which is usually available in print media. Access to a variety of books and other reading materials such as magazines and newspapers facilitates that process and improve children’s performance. Newspapers keep students informed about what is happening in the world, thereby extending their knowledge and deepening their understanding. For this reason, they are of general educational value and importance to students and must be considered in both government and private primary schools. [‘his should be done by ensuring that the challenges encountered are dealt with accordingly and the recommendations provided there in taken into implementation. The recommendations were made to government, management of daily monitor after which the areas for further research were also highlighted by the researcher.