FBI RAIDS ALL NEWSPAPER HEADLINES

The fascination with everything western, it appears, might take a while to wear out. How else do you explain the strange 'coincidence' of Kenya's leading newspapers having identical headlines? Did the editors think any mention of America's Federal Bureau of Investigation in their splash, would automatically attract readers?

A newspaper headline can very well determine how many copies are snapped up at the market place. And so editorial managers spend considerable time and energy to craft the most appealing splash.

And here, differentiation with what the competition has to offer, bolsters a paper's unique selling proposition.

So mush so that, some unconfirmed reports suggest editors could go to the extent of calling each other, before putting their respective papers to bed, just to be sure their product has a 'secure' chance of pushing sales.

It's just like the way nobody wants to appear at a party, only to realize they are wearing the same outfit as their friend, or anybody else for that matter. So the way great effort is made to stand out, is similar to the drive by the print media to appear unique, in as much as they could be carrying the same content.

But, going back to the identical headlines, what prompted all the major Kenyan newspapers to prominently state that foreign investigators have been called in, to probe the massive fire that disrupted operations at the country's main international airport?

If you ask me, it was either another 'shameless' reflex action that points to an unhealthy fascination with the West, or maybe the result of watching too many movies:

"Freeze................FBI!"

A REFUND POLICY FOR FAULTY NEWSPAPER CONTENT

It's common for retail outlets to have a return or refund policy, in case customers are unhappy with their purchases. Likewise, Kenyan newspaper publishers should be compelled to have a refund policy. That would probably motivate editorial gatekeepers to be keener on pushing out a flawless news product. 

If one purchases a newspaper, it is like any other investment. And if one feels it falls short of the expected quality, then getting stuck with the faulty product is really being shortchanged.

So one, I dare posit, should be allowed to return the offending newspaper, of course within a reasonable period of time, and sensible condition of the paper.

This line of thinking has been prompted by a recent purchase of a daily, from the stable of the largest media house in East and Central Africa. The paper was remarkably 'substandard' and annoyingly mediocre.

The copious serving of atrocious grammatical errors left a nausea-inducing syntactic aftertaste, despite a renowned columnist penning a timely reminder, in the same edition.

Just what exactly was the above paragraph, for example, purposed to achieve? It starts off with a quote, then meanders into an incoherent non-sensical quandary.

The lead story for this particular daily was about Mutula Kilonzo Jnr winning the Makueni senatorial by-election with a very wide margin.

So, why should the paper have another story, suggesting the outcome of the poll was yet to be determined? And is it really necessary for the same quotes to be used in different but related stories?

The same paper on more than one occasion utilised some rather unusual, if not non-existent English words. Can the editors care to explain what meaning, 'nt' below is supposed to convey?

This 'invention' of new words could astonishingly also be found in an internal advertisement, from non-other than the newspaper publishers!

Or is 'refleted' a valid English word, dear sub-editor? And while at it, how can a book that has been released, be set for another release?

It's indeed a big shame to have even spelling missteps on the 'hallowed' page dedicated to literary discourse.

And it's utterly shocking the way this 'special' paper carelessly handled a story sent in by one reader.

One line in this article appears to be terribly misplaced, and looks like it could have more naturally be at the very beginning.

Then the clincher! The article just ends mid-sentence, (or is it mid-word?)

To be fair, this newspaper did have some great readings, like, "Sam Kahiga: Artist in every genre", and the very moving, "The triumph and tragedy of Francis Kadenge". 

Also standing out was, "Is it the end, or a second life for Kenya media". This article made a direct reference to me, (yes me!)

Being stranded amid an orgy of raging violence ranks as my most terrifying moment professionally. But I digress.

The author however, left out, what I think should have been obvious details in his 'great' analysis.

There was no mention of the People, (in its initial format as a weekly paper) the Star (which folded and is not related to what is published in the current market), or even the defunct Leader, which turns the above argument on its head.

And these observations, from one particularly 'gifted' daily, in terms of its array of errors, I strongly feel, makes a strong point for Kenyan newspaper publishers to consider introducing a refund or return policy for those irked/dissatisfied after purchasing news publications.

TAMING ROAD HOGS AND THE HOGWASH TRAP

In a move that has largely been welcomed, one Kenyan TV station has taken a decisive step of exposing traffic offenders. But does it just begin and end with shaming and naming the road hogs? Doesn't this steer the initiative into hogwash territory?

There's no doubt the road carnage in the country is a serious concern and acting before accidents happen is a big plus. However, in my not so perfect understanding, more needs to be done, to ensure there's sanity on Kenyan roads.

For starters, as has been pointed out in other fora, the viewers need to see more concerted efforts to co-opt the authorities in nabbing the 'alleged' offenders and ensuring they either have their day in court or even having instant fines imposed on them.

Failure to deliver this 'vital' addition reduces the value of this noble media venture into a 'fleeting shock therapy' session, if not merely propping up its 'pseudo-entertainment' elements.

After all, for how long have we encountered shenanigans on our roads, opting to only silently or animatedly direct morbid curses towards the road hogs, even when such irksome actions have resulted in the loss of lives?

Crowd-sourcing shameless road hogs

There's also the elusive sustainability factor to consider. Many are the times big projects are launched by local media outlets, with elevated exuberance, only for them to soon start fading, before they eventually fold, after running out of steam.

I like the idea though, of inviting members of the public to send in pictures or video clips of 'unroadworthy drivers' causing mayhem on the roads.

The crowd-sourcing platform not only facilitates the acquisition of more relevant content, but it also invites the public to actively participate and possibly co-own the initiative.

So, the belaboured point here, is the need to have some follow-ups, after the exposes.

This happily never ending story needs to capture the ugly fate of the road hogs, to effectively deter like-minded traffic offenders.

WHEN STATE MEETS MEDIA: PUBLIC INTEREST OR SELF-INTEREST?

The Executive. The Media. Are they sworn enemies or just sore partners? Do they check each other's excesses? Or is their agenda set to actually check out and perhaps cheque in? A recent meeting between Kenya's president and various media editors, offered some clues.

It appears their is genuine mutual suspicion between the presidency and the press.

But, there is also a strong feeling that both the government and the media need each other.

Both are alive to the fact that they can use their respective position to either enhance and add value to their interaction, or covertly subvert each other's interests.

And, given an opportunity, journalists can momentarily deviate from the path of professionalism and pursue the route of platitudes, in the remote hope of reaping favours, good standing or simple recognition, from those in power.

The government similarly, can deliberately extend a friendly hand to the media, to indirectly influence or solicit a favourable coverage.

Caught in between this ambivalent relationship is the public, which ironically is supposed to be the main beneficiary of a vibrant media and a robust government.

How then is the Kenyan public supposed to perceive the 'historic' meeting between the country's top leadership and the media? Should it be jealous that the attention has shifted away from it, and subsequently jeopardising the public interest?

Or is this a sign of an elevated strategy to keep the priority firmly locked on due deliverables to the public, since both the state and the media are 'joining' hands?

Either way, it is my belief that the import of the meeting between the editors and the country's leaders, will be measured, not by what each side stands to directly gain, but by how much it translates into uplifting the welfare of Kenyans.

UNPACKAGING THE FRAUD AND FATE OF KETHI

The wave of popularity that had swept lawyer Kethi Kilonzo from a stellar performance at Kenya's Supreme Court, spat her on the cruel shores of politics. And here, her attempts to play dirty became her Waterloo. The media now has to play a key role in unpackaging this fraud.

The news elements of this closely followed story, should not solely be about the verdict that discredited Kethi's eligibility to contest for the senatorial seat, formerly held by her late father.

There are various factors that could suitably answer the 'So What' question, which the Kenyan media, I hope, will dedicate a fair amount of coverage, to fully bring to light all the implications of Kethi's fiasco.

Big clues can already be mined from social media reactions, as sampled below.

PRE-EMPTIVE MEDIA APOLOGY MADE IN SOUTH AFRICA

It takes great courage for one to admit one's mistakes. And mistakes abound in the media industry world over. That's why it's admirable for one newspaper to encourage its readers to point out its editorial mishaps. This, can be an effective pre-emptive strategy-cum-apology.

The South African daily fully acknowledges that despite it's best efforts, it's potentially susceptible to errors, human, mechanical, technologically, or otherwise.

A similarly gesture, I think, would be highly recommendable for the Kenyan press, which on a good, (or is it bad?) day, can be riddled with all manner of mistakes and the not so uncommon retractions.

This should not be interpreted as an admission of editorial incompetence, but rather, a noble realization of the reader's capacity to notice inaccuracies and ultimately improve the publication.

MEDIA TABOO TOPICS AND THE REALITY REALM

It's probably one of the most difficult issues to cover in the media. An 'impending' demise of a great personality. How do you reconcile the need to reflect the reality on the ground with the right amount of sensitivity, and the often taboo realm of contemplating anyone's death?

News editors know any attempt to seek a balanced coverage still runs the risk of upsetting societal expectations.

But it's generally acceptable to focus on a public figure, even in their distressing times.

The trick is to properly manage the tone and steer the coverage away from speculations and other prophet of doom tendencies.

However, as I gaze into the clear skies of Johannesburg, I hope whatever ending that eventually comes to pass, will not be the beginning of sadness, but the continuation of happiness from the enduring gift of one man's great sacrifices for humanity.