It is that season again that politicians show just to what
extent they own this country. They will barter whole communities to self-beneficial
causes n flout money around like a carrot n we will mindlessly follow.
It is sad though that instruments that should try to shift
us from this self-imposed shackles should be so compromised. It has been my argument
that the media (my profession) has never been impartial in Kenya. And as I argued
we should adopt American style of journalism where media houses are out-rightly
leftist or right and let the reader decide from a perspective of knowing who
controls the media house.
As it stands media in Kenya is controlled by owners,
political interest and most at times tribal inkling of its owners. (With all
campaigns against tribalism I wonder why media houses have not yet been put in perspective
in terms of fueling the vice.)
In recent times we have seen an influx in media personality
poaching which stands as a strategic move of increasing readership and
viewership. However subject to the knowledge that media houses are tools in the
hands of their owners in terms of editorial policy this is a sorry situation.
The media which is supposed to sell the gospel of
non-tribalism is owned by tribal overlords. It not uncommon that they run
opinion polls of very contentious natures, will announce results that will
agitate electorates, will give a black out to issue based candidates and will pretend
to be impartial.
The most troubling thing tough is that while the mass of Kenyans
follow the media personalities to their new abode like wildebeests they are
being set up for political slaughter. It’s a wonder that in this time of
elections it has become inherent for media personalities poaching.
The bubble might pop, I know, when we realize as Kenyans we
have been wooed to some media houses by personalities who will sell political
propaganda (sometimes tribal) and a few with integrity like Mohamed Ali will
have the balls to turn down the salary motivation and return to their niches
refuting to be pawned.
but many kenyans know that media houses are run by the same tribal kingpins that run politics in this country! that is why some newspapers are more popular in other regions and never read in other areas.
ReplyDeleteits all about getting access to radio frequencies, etc etc,(resources) look at sk macharias history with moi and kibaki and you will realise.
i dont see how it can be stopped.even in america,britain this happens