Independent Media plays a central role in development but may face many constraints ranging from restrictive legal environment to physical attack by journalists. But we should appreciate the fact that media plays a key role in improving governance and exposing corruption as revealed by a renown world bank economist.
Recently, the Day star University in conjunction with the Media Council of Kenya held a Media conference here in Nairobi Kenya whose aim was to encourage and urge journalists to focus more on developmental issues as opposed to the day to day politics that have made great headlines in the different publications from different countries in Africa.
Speaking at the 2 day conference the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo noted with the concern the priority editorial gatekeepers in media houses give to the political stories while trampling upon matters of development that are key to the uplifting a nation together with its citizens. " The words of a politician can not "change" a society but media plays a key role in changing society, through the respective councils I am urging journalists to report more on developmental issues." he said.
Taking cognisance of the role media plays in informing, educating, entertaining society, shaping of opinions, agenda setting, preservation of culture amongst others one can not help but take note of a new trend in which the agenda the media propagates for or against is to a great deal determined by the readership and listener ship patterns that have been set by readers and listeners; who are generally known as consumers of the products produced by media.
To this extent we are seeing a new wave hitting and sweeping our newsrooms and the editors and those that determine the editorial content have been coerced into adopting a new style of reporting and coverage without which they will definitely have no "market" to sale their goods.
This practice has been countered by the mushrooming of community radio stations concentrating on the production of rich content rather than concentrate of a short lived pattern of consumerism. Some segmented sections of the market are now receiving rich content based content that is aimed at disseminating development based information which is tailored to bring about social change and development of home grown solutions that offer vaccines to asymptomatic conditions of poverty, laggness, backwardness, hunger, amongst others before the condition is full blown into an incurable disease.
There is therefore a dire need to formulate a marriage kind of approach to issues based on a solemn matrimonial partnership between consumerism and development solemnly subscribing to vows and codes that govern their existence. This agreement will solely be based on a development approach as a result of a long and cordial companionship between content and consumerism consequently giving birth to a new era of democracy with other off springs including transparency, equitable distribution of resources, equality in the both in the work place and other sectors, amongst other positive values and codes that the citizens of Kenya would like to subscribe to.
This marriage or cordial relationship is very important because a country with a balanced press is able to not only to build the knowledge based of its citizens in creating convergent strategies of achieving development but is also able to prevent corruption, view divergence as points of strength, and is able to open up citizens to a wide range of development and progressive opportunities that improve the lives of the citizens of a country.
There is need to support both our mainstream and community media to be able to air "edifying" content, well balanced with the right ratio of truth, objectivity and honesty well served right from the starter, main course right to the dessert and is able to have nutritional value to all the consumers of this content which will be seen growth and development in the social, political and economical aspects.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Media Matters
Media in Kenya enjoys a relatively free press and the Government of Kenya is also making headway in as far as supporting peoples freedom of expression and access to free media. Kenya being a member of the African Union, the Common Wealth,the United Nations subscribes to a code that obliges her to uphold basic freedoms and human rights in which freedom of the media and expression are key components.
Despite the seemingly cordial relationship that seems to exist between the Government of Kenya and the Media huge hiccups have recently been evidenced ranging from the raid of a prominent East African Newspaper premise following the unravelling of a rather sensitive story with the parties concerned alleging a lack of truth in the piece that carried the day. Other examples that come to mind the contention that was elicited from the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act 2008 in which the media fraternity felt that the Government of Kenya was out to suppress and gag the media freedom in the name of regulating the its content and formulation of policies geared towards development.
The contentious clause 88 in the Kenya Information and Communication Act allows the minister of internal security to order to order police to invade broadcasting houses, and to destroy equipment on the vague declarations of threat to public security. Under this law the government is also given a free hand to vet and control content on television and Broadcasting stations. Key stakeholders in the media and communication industry including the Media Owners Association, The Editor's Guild, Kenya Union of Journalists came up with proposed amendments seeking the exclusion of such stringent regulations and the allocation of the vetting process to a non partisan entity able to exist and conduct its business free of government control and political influence hence citing a proposed Broadcast Content Advisory Council.
Although the attempt to regulate media freedom are fresh memories that could not been easily erased from the minds of the general public and the media fraternity, I duly applaud the efforts the Kenyan government is making to fully ascertain that the media freedom and the freedom to information for the Kenyan citizen are strictly adhered to. The current draft Constitution recognizes the media freedom, freedom of information, freedom of expression as one of the bill of of rights and to that extent deserve a part on the back.
The debate on the freedom of the media has been furthered hence dedicating an entire section; 34 to the freedom of the Media. The clause begins by assuring Media Freedom and Independence but however puts a caution that it will not be applied in cases of war, incitement to violence,hate speech amongst others. The other plus that the proposed constitution has is the fact that the state is not allowed to exercise control over or interfere with any person engaged in broadcasting; production or circulation of any publication or dissemination of any information.
The proposed Constitution also provides for freedom of establishment of broadcast stations so long as they comply to the rules and regulation of licensing that exist within the country. The state owned media houses now be able to independently determine their editorial content and afford the freedom to report or air divergent views. To replace the partisan nature of a state owned or controlled regulatory body Parliament will be charged with the mandate to establish a body to set media standards and regulate and monitor compliance to the set standards.
In as far as the right to information is concerned the 35 clause assures that every citizen has a right to information held by the state, and a right to delete or correct untrue or misleading information that affects a person. lastly the state shall be obliged to publish important information affecting the nation.
Point of advise is that Kenyans are already too polarized on a "yes" and "no" binary dichotomy that is too a shallow a basis to cast a vote. given the 30 days given by the Attorney general office for Civic education, efforts should be made to redeem ourselves from shallow debates, and as civil society focus on key and pertinent issues that spell out the gains and losses inherent in this proposed draft constitution including the freedom of the media .
Despite the seemingly cordial relationship that seems to exist between the Government of Kenya and the Media huge hiccups have recently been evidenced ranging from the raid of a prominent East African Newspaper premise following the unravelling of a rather sensitive story with the parties concerned alleging a lack of truth in the piece that carried the day. Other examples that come to mind the contention that was elicited from the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act 2008 in which the media fraternity felt that the Government of Kenya was out to suppress and gag the media freedom in the name of regulating the its content and formulation of policies geared towards development.
The contentious clause 88 in the Kenya Information and Communication Act allows the minister of internal security to order to order police to invade broadcasting houses, and to destroy equipment on the vague declarations of threat to public security. Under this law the government is also given a free hand to vet and control content on television and Broadcasting stations. Key stakeholders in the media and communication industry including the Media Owners Association, The Editor's Guild, Kenya Union of Journalists came up with proposed amendments seeking the exclusion of such stringent regulations and the allocation of the vetting process to a non partisan entity able to exist and conduct its business free of government control and political influence hence citing a proposed Broadcast Content Advisory Council.
Although the attempt to regulate media freedom are fresh memories that could not been easily erased from the minds of the general public and the media fraternity, I duly applaud the efforts the Kenyan government is making to fully ascertain that the media freedom and the freedom to information for the Kenyan citizen are strictly adhered to. The current draft Constitution recognizes the media freedom, freedom of information, freedom of expression as one of the bill of of rights and to that extent deserve a part on the back.
The debate on the freedom of the media has been furthered hence dedicating an entire section; 34 to the freedom of the Media. The clause begins by assuring Media Freedom and Independence but however puts a caution that it will not be applied in cases of war, incitement to violence,hate speech amongst others. The other plus that the proposed constitution has is the fact that the state is not allowed to exercise control over or interfere with any person engaged in broadcasting; production or circulation of any publication or dissemination of any information.
The proposed Constitution also provides for freedom of establishment of broadcast stations so long as they comply to the rules and regulation of licensing that exist within the country. The state owned media houses now be able to independently determine their editorial content and afford the freedom to report or air divergent views. To replace the partisan nature of a state owned or controlled regulatory body Parliament will be charged with the mandate to establish a body to set media standards and regulate and monitor compliance to the set standards.
In as far as the right to information is concerned the 35 clause assures that every citizen has a right to information held by the state, and a right to delete or correct untrue or misleading information that affects a person. lastly the state shall be obliged to publish important information affecting the nation.
Point of advise is that Kenyans are already too polarized on a "yes" and "no" binary dichotomy that is too a shallow a basis to cast a vote. given the 30 days given by the Attorney general office for Civic education, efforts should be made to redeem ourselves from shallow debates, and as civil society focus on key and pertinent issues that spell out the gains and losses inherent in this proposed draft constitution including the freedom of the media .
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Social Media and "Liberty"
The role social media plays can not be undermined. Humanity is inheriting and living in a world that is has been profoundly changed by a combination of roles and norms ascribed by both society and nature and not forgetting the ever evolving technology that has taken a toll on man's existence.Our children are inheriting a world in which technology has taken a leading role in even determining their existence and the kind of interactions they have. They take for granted that their voices can be heard and capitalize on the fact the social movements can be launched from their portable laptops within their living rooms. Interpersonal relations and connectivity to millions of persons are other aspects that are now also being taken for granted. This is because the masses of people have experienced a shift in the social set up in particular reference to the political system and the rule of law. Human beings have embarked on an individualistic way of life and the central institutions are slowly being rendered "useless" and many are now experiencing a feeling of democracy by the the command which they have over technology. The entire global village is now open to the unlimited consumption by the general public and masses of people. Social media such as Face book, Twitter, My Space is now changing the lives of people in some meaningful way. Collectivity and connectivity has indeed changed the lives of many people as change has become a constant variable which everyone is becoming inclined to and is forced to embrace.
Social media has indeed liberated thousands of people from the "primitive" forms of life for instance has been used for fund raising as seen by the constant calls to join "causes" and champion International causes for one reason or the other. Such events include support of the girl child education, the sanitary towel campaign, campaigns against child sexual abuse and exploitation that have been launched in different parts of our globe.
Many organizations now take recognisance of the large membership scope and have used social media as a tool of advertisement putting into mind the market segmentation. Many products and services from all parts of the world are now being launched and even marketed on the various social networks including face book. Organizations are slowly realising the need to compliment the "traditional" forms of advertising to more audience- appealing strategies and mechanisms. This benefit even goes further to provide the users with an opportunity to rate and advertisement and give a reason for the choice
"Travel the world at a click of a button" is yet another intriguing phenomena that has been introduced by social media. Users are not constrained on the amount of information that they can access to on a particular site or even country. Holiday destinations, tourists attractions, hotels and beaches can be previewed and compared before anyone decides on his/her preferred destination.
Users are now able to Rate a Company and self promote and feedback obtained can be used to either improve the corporate image, service delivery, public relations and the general corporate identity.
Social media has also been able to Unite the world through a video through uploads being made by users from all over the world.
The regular News Feeds have been key to keeping users abreast on current news and any other issues of importance. There is also ease for Cross Posting
Social media has indeed liberated thousands of people from the "primitive" forms of life for instance has been used for fund raising as seen by the constant calls to join "causes" and champion International causes for one reason or the other. Such events include support of the girl child education, the sanitary towel campaign, campaigns against child sexual abuse and exploitation that have been launched in different parts of our globe.
Many organizations now take recognisance of the large membership scope and have used social media as a tool of advertisement putting into mind the market segmentation. Many products and services from all parts of the world are now being launched and even marketed on the various social networks including face book. Organizations are slowly realising the need to compliment the "traditional" forms of advertising to more audience- appealing strategies and mechanisms. This benefit even goes further to provide the users with an opportunity to rate and advertisement and give a reason for the choice
"Travel the world at a click of a button" is yet another intriguing phenomena that has been introduced by social media. Users are not constrained on the amount of information that they can access to on a particular site or even country. Holiday destinations, tourists attractions, hotels and beaches can be previewed and compared before anyone decides on his/her preferred destination.
Users are now able to Rate a Company and self promote and feedback obtained can be used to either improve the corporate image, service delivery, public relations and the general corporate identity.
Social media has also been able to Unite the world through a video through uploads being made by users from all over the world.
The regular News Feeds have been key to keeping users abreast on current news and any other issues of importance. There is also ease for Cross Posting
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
You need to be informed so as to inform part 2
Following the central role media plays in the deveoplement process of any country, there is still an increased need to further involve communication, technology and information within policy formulation, adoption of best practises,reasearch and other key processes that coverge to support the media in its agenda setting role.Communication as a tool for social change therefore focuses on different spheres of development including the political, socio- economic and even cultural.
In recent years several International events, coferences and forums including the Nation Pan Africa Conference 2010 have been held to bring together stakeholders from different spheres both from the private and public arena including renow editors, publishers, reporters and news anchores, civil society organization to discuss and investigate the theotreical framework as key agents to development and possible strategies that can be used to attain development.
Key areas of focus include the debate on the freedom to information and how information can be easily acessed by the general public and how stakeholders from different parts of the African continent can pool their resources to realize the development needs of our continent.
In recent years several International events, coferences and forums including the Nation Pan Africa Conference 2010 have been held to bring together stakeholders from different spheres both from the private and public arena including renow editors, publishers, reporters and news anchores, civil society organization to discuss and investigate the theotreical framework as key agents to development and possible strategies that can be used to attain development.
Key areas of focus include the debate on the freedom to information and how information can be easily acessed by the general public and how stakeholders from different parts of the African continent can pool their resources to realize the development needs of our continent.
You need to be informed so as to inform!
There is a significant body of research on the role that media plays in influencing public opinions and perceptions. While the public largely depends on media such as newspapers,radio and television for its news, the information they receives largely depends on the sources that journalists use to get their information.Following this revelation, there is dire need to increase media literacy among audiences, monitor content and change the kind of news articles that are reported.Other points of importance are on how media can be used to change public opinion and increase public awareness on issues of interest with an aim of creating an equillibrium in society. These concerns are important when investigating the role of the media, information, technology and communication as critical tools for social change.
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