An uncompromising critique of how the media covers topical issues, challenging traditional journalism concepts and charting fresh interpretations of news.
If you feel a news story does not measure up to expected journalistic standards, bring it to the Journalism Dry Cleaner. Through our collective wisdom, we will strip it of all offensive dirt.
It is expected that public interest should be the top most priority in Kenyan news organisations. But if there is a slight hint that other interests are being projected, be they commercial or personal, then the value of a media outlet diminishes in the eyes of the public. A News presenter hawking products amounts to conflict of interest, by promoting self-interests and abusing newsroom privileges.
It's mildly tolerable to see a thinly veiled product endorsement during the delivery of TV news. But to covertly make a sales pitch, by channelling the attention of viewers to what a news presenter is wearing, and later using social media, to indicate where such an attire can be purchased, is broadcasting narrow interests.
Are we saying the news presenter should also be looked at the same way one checks out a mannequin, while shopping for clothes?
To be honest, I would personally have no problem if the news presenter showcases outfits by underprivileged people in society, for example, struggling hard to eke an honest living, because the provided visibility will go a long way in uplifting lives.
Granted, using your access to newsroom cameras, to advertise products from a company you have vast if not controlling interests in, is deviously ingenious.
But the devil in the finer details of what a news presenter is wearing, should not be the primed focus of the prime time viewer.
It might be a case of unnecessarily splitting hairs. But the homogeneity in sourcing, packaging and delivery of news in Kenyan TV stations has entered a new phase. News presenters across various channels are now either sharing the same clothes, or are using the same stylist or stockist.
The same way the copy-cat syndrome is rampant, especially in the electronic media terrain, where one idea is quickly 'duplicated' across news stations, is perhaps what is happening to this particular outfit.
Indeed it is not unheard of, for a particular news story aired by one channel, to somehow be 'reincarnated' in another, (without even crediting the original source of the idea).
But in this case, the question of which news presenter was the first to don the outfit, and who then pinched the 'fashion statement' is unclear.
Incredibly, the 'popular' apparel design appeared on screen simultaneously in two channels, because two news presenters had it on the same day and time!
And so, it not improbable for two media outlets to at times be working on the same idea and labelling it as 'exclusive. A bemused audience will be forgiven for wondering whether the real meaning of 'exclusivity' is being appreciated and applied by the competing stations.
Back to the dressing style though, it later on re-emerged in yet another TV station. This, an indicator perhaps, of one, how the culture of recycling has taken root in the Kenyan media space, and two, how nobody at times seems to be monitoring what the competitor has already put out.
And that's how one similar dress can end up with three news presenters in three different TV stations!
And so it came to pass that Kenya got to witness its first ever live presidential debate. The combined resources of local media houses helped to achieve this milestone. And the moderators also came from media circles. How the two performed didn't escape the public's notice.
Call it unfair or even unwarranted, but it appears there was an element of dissatisfaction with one of the moderators, at least going by what has been posted in social media platforms.
Such is the very critical eye of the audience that perceived differences between the moderators, whether huge or mundane, will be mercilessly pointed out.
But thankfully, that is one thing anybody in the business will be made aware of, 'hours' after their journalism debut, and hence should be able to quickly identify suitable coping mechanism, to remain focused professionally.
The following is a sample of what the audience thought about the two moderators of Kenya's inaugural presidential debate.
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