THE FOURTH ESTATE NEEDS TO WAKE UP
The Fourth Estate plays a crucial role in any democracy. It plays the role of the guardian, oversight and informing the masses what their elected leaders are up-to. It highlights and documents injustices, corruption and abuses of power. It informs, educates and presents to the masses accurate and unbiased information to enable them make the right decisions and ensure they engage in their civic duties reresponsibly. Failure of the fourth estate is detrimental to any functioning democracy.
A cursory look at any successful democracy, you will find that the media is highly prized as a source of information. Its freedom and as well as people working in the media are guaranteed in the constitution and enforced in other statutes. To ensure accurate information, information held by state can be accessed by the media. US has Freedom of Information Act, all Scandinavian countries have robust media and easy access to information held by the government.
The freedom of media in Kenya is guaranteed in the constitution. Then there is the Access to Information Act, 2016. But the media is not robust and free to meet the demands of our young democracy. It falls prey to influence from state and other political actors, sideshows and inaccurate and information bordering on rumours.
It is time kenyan media took its rightful place in our burgeoning democracy. It is time it took harsh tone to injustices committed by the state in the name of national security. Many Kenyans, and foreigners included, have died at the hands of security services. Others have been violated, their rights trumped down and tortured. Yet the media continues to remain silent. It is time it put in more efforts and resources in uncovering the massive rot in our government and pillaging of public resources. The media seems content with official data which is doctored to suit whoever is doctoring it.
Continuing to keep silent on matters affecting Kenyans is outright absconding their duty. Opinion polls conducted by both Infotrak and IPsos show that the media has a high confidence rate among Kenyans. A 2016 poll about confidence of Kenyans on their institutions ranked the media at the top with 87% while most government institutions such as the Ethics and AntiCorruption Commission and Judiciary scored poorly, way below 30%. It is therefore an insult to our intelligence as Kenyans when this media goes and quotes these institutions as the gospel truth.
It is the time our media started shaping our public discourse. When you see public discourse being set by uncouth politicians, know that that country is in deep trouble. Instead of the media running with the latest insults among presidential candidates, it should analyze these candidates, what they stand for, vision for the country and how sober are his policies. With that level of trust the media is the savior we have all been waiting for.
In UK, confidence in the media is 24% far below compared to Kenya. Yet the media is able to shape public opinion and discourse. BBC has a dedicated program for Investigating abuses and corruption. It has investigated BAT over bribery claims in Africa and due to public outcry, Britain Serious Fraud Office had to step in and investigate those claims.
It is time our media stopped toeing the official line. It is time it started giving Kenyans factual, accurate and informative news through investigative journalism, research and investing in human and technological resources. It should give blackout to hate mongers and Warmongers who have no place in Kenya.
The media should not waste this golden opportunity it has. It should wake up and takes its rightful place.
It is needed now more than ever
A cursory look at any successful democracy, you will find that the media is highly prized as a source of information. Its freedom and as well as people working in the media are guaranteed in the constitution and enforced in other statutes. To ensure accurate information, information held by state can be accessed by the media. US has Freedom of Information Act, all Scandinavian countries have robust media and easy access to information held by the government.
The freedom of media in Kenya is guaranteed in the constitution. Then there is the Access to Information Act, 2016. But the media is not robust and free to meet the demands of our young democracy. It falls prey to influence from state and other political actors, sideshows and inaccurate and information bordering on rumours.
It is time kenyan media took its rightful place in our burgeoning democracy. It is time it took harsh tone to injustices committed by the state in the name of national security. Many Kenyans, and foreigners included, have died at the hands of security services. Others have been violated, their rights trumped down and tortured. Yet the media continues to remain silent. It is time it put in more efforts and resources in uncovering the massive rot in our government and pillaging of public resources. The media seems content with official data which is doctored to suit whoever is doctoring it.
Continuing to keep silent on matters affecting Kenyans is outright absconding their duty. Opinion polls conducted by both Infotrak and IPsos show that the media has a high confidence rate among Kenyans. A 2016 poll about confidence of Kenyans on their institutions ranked the media at the top with 87% while most government institutions such as the Ethics and AntiCorruption Commission and Judiciary scored poorly, way below 30%. It is therefore an insult to our intelligence as Kenyans when this media goes and quotes these institutions as the gospel truth.
It is the time our media started shaping our public discourse. When you see public discourse being set by uncouth politicians, know that that country is in deep trouble. Instead of the media running with the latest insults among presidential candidates, it should analyze these candidates, what they stand for, vision for the country and how sober are his policies. With that level of trust the media is the savior we have all been waiting for.
In UK, confidence in the media is 24% far below compared to Kenya. Yet the media is able to shape public opinion and discourse. BBC has a dedicated program for Investigating abuses and corruption. It has investigated BAT over bribery claims in Africa and due to public outcry, Britain Serious Fraud Office had to step in and investigate those claims.
It is time our media stopped toeing the official line. It is time it started giving Kenyans factual, accurate and informative news through investigative journalism, research and investing in human and technological resources. It should give blackout to hate mongers and Warmongers who have no place in Kenya.
The media should not waste this golden opportunity it has. It should wake up and takes its rightful place.
It is needed now more than ever
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