AMECEA: Print Media Remains Relevant in Rural Eastern Africa, AMECEA Survey Finds
Luke Bisani
A new survey conducted by the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Communication Department has revealed that print media remains relevant and significant, despite the rapid rise of digital platforms.
Presenting the findings of the survey conducted to help understand the relevance, challenges, and future sustainability of print media in the AMECEA region within the changing communication landscape driven by digital media, Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth from the AMECEA Secretariat said the study, conducted in eight countries in the region, aimed to assess the current relevance of print publications.
“The survey revealed that in the AMECEA region, print media is still relevant, especially in rural communities, among elderly audiences and areas with minimal or no internet connectivity,” said Sr. Okoth during the annual meeting of AMECEA Online News correspondents on Tuesday, November 18.
According to the findings, even though 78% of the respondents affirmed the continued importance of print media, 22 % felt it is losing traction in today’s digital environment.
Sr. Okoth further noted that print media continues to face mounting challenges, including rising printing costs, decline in sales, competition from social media, lack of financial resources, legal measures by media authorities, and a decline in readership culture across the region, among other challenges.
The survey recommends adopting a hybrid model, prioritizing print distribution to rural and elderly audiences, implementing print-on-demand strategies to reduce waste, and enhancing design and storytelling strategies to improve reader engagement.
