TV CONTENT: NOISE MASQUERADING AS INFORMATION AND A RARE GEM

The content in Kenyan TV stations is generally believed to be formulaic, unimaginative and predictable. The many talking heads in particularly simplistic talk shows, steers the broadcasting infamy towards toxic viewing levels. But amid the noise masquerading as useful information, some gems do stand out. It's a pity if they are not accorded a befitting recognition.

A good example is a recent brilliant attempt to enlighten the audience on the likely scenarios in reforming Kenya's electoral process, with respect to practical timelines.

The show was amazingly informative and the panelist were well versed in the topic at hand, with the added bonus of an actual involvement in the electoral process, be it on the administrative front or in direct elective politics.

The chosen topic was immensely timely, given that the next national elections in Kenya are slightly more than a year away.

There has been a clamour for an overhaul of the institution charged with conducting the polls, but a sober reminder of the diminishing time to implement the desired changes, is a useful addition to the political discourse.

Again, it's a pity that this weighty discussion was in a morning programme, in one of the local channels, hardly the appropriate time to engage a greater portion of the general public.

In such situations, station managers ought to have the wisdom to edit a stand-alone news item for use in later news bulletins, with appropriate updates, and further analyses or reactions.

The entire discussion can also be re-broadcast later or even on a different day.

Unless this channel has decreed that only entertainment-based programs will be re-aired, to generate maximum interest in the public, despite the minimal public interest.

THE ANATOMY OF A HIGH VOLTAGE STORY - DISMISSING OR DEFENDING DISMISSAL?

It probably is a high voltage story. Especially for one particular Kenyan media outlet. But in an apparent editorial stunt, the same news outfit has put out a misleading online update. It perplexingly appears to justify that which is being so vehemently fought against.

The recently ousted Registrar of the Kenyan Judiciary, has been on the war path, in a spirited attempt to clear her name and salvage her reputation, in the wake of impropriety accusations levelled against her.

"They proceeded to carry-out their own Kangaroo investigations, the process of fair trial had not began yet they terminated my services."

So how, some one please explain, can she abruptly be purported to defend the decision by her accusers to send her packing? That is what... "defends Friday dismissal..." would imply, right?

The content of the media briefing being alluded to, is clearly contrary to the heading that is being used to disseminate the video clip via the Internet.

And if this is proved to be erroneous, it could be quite embarrassing to the said media house.

More so, given the manner in which the current flowing through this 'high voltage story' is perhaps being felt right to the upper echelons of the same establishment.

PERILS OF BOSSING SHOLLEI, THE BOSS

An out of court settlement from the custodians of a fare and just Kenyan society, is raising some rather unseating queries. Is letting bygones be bygones the new benchmark of justice? As long as one can raise sufficient dirt against one's accuser, it seems, one can eventually have one's way.

This has perhaps been clearly demonstrated, in the controversial manner in which Kenya's Registrar of the Judiciary has managed to fend off accusations of professional impropriety raised by none other than the Judiciary Service Commission.

Thankfully, the local media has picked up the significant implications of the apparent push and pull in judicial circles, and more so, the factors that could have led to the curious out of court settlement, in a case involving the top most echelons of the Judiciary.

And the social media scene was also buzzing with this issue, as sampled below.