THE ELUSIVE ILLUSIONS OF A LIVE NEWS BROADCAST

The interview was going relatively well. The anchor was trying her best to wear a serious face, to camouflage her youthful looks. And the guest was equally trying to project the demeanour of a seasoned politician, despite his obvious 'greenness.' Then an intruder darted into the live set of the news broadcast.

I can state with near certainty that this entrance was not part of the instructions given by the News Director. And the Vision Mixer most probably didn't intend that shot to go on air.

It definitely looks like on this night, there was a mix-up resulting from some sort of miscommunication, in this particular studio gallery. However, irrespective of who was responsible for the error, the consequences are grave.

This is largely because the viewer has been conditioned to see 'flawless' production executions, which sometimes even perpetuate a perception of visual magic, (think virtual sets).

And therein lies the challenge of sustaining high TV production standards. The viewer must not be allowed to awaken from this 'mesmerised' state of mind, when watching a live news broadcast.

But the kind of off-screen commotion that goes on during such a broadcast, is such that all the personnel involved need to be accorded a hero's status and utmost professional respect.

Let's appreciate that the job is not easy. The pressure often zooms past the cracking point. Yet everyone, especially the anchors, are expected to always keep a cool head, as they meander through all manner of unforeseen challenges or technical hitches.

And as for the above live studio intruder, let's just say it was nature's way of granting him his 5-seconds of television fame.

SUBSTANDARD SUB-EDITING OF THE HEADLINE, STORY DISCONNECT TYPE

A headline sells a newspaper story. And the front-page one can be directly linked to how many copies a paper sells. So, some headlines are made to promise so much, yet deliver so little in terms of content, as long as they generate sales. Granted, this is unethical. But to have a headline entirely disconnect with its supposed story, is almost unpardonable.

The above headline is catchy and has a very active verb that denotes a heightened emotional component and a strong hint of some simmering conflict.

It practically summarises what the story below it should be about. So one would expect to get more details about:

'Konza society members' 

Which 'herdsmen' they are not pleased with

And the reason why the 'Konza society members' are 'angered'

Let's see how many of these details have been delivered.

Not even one! This is legendary. Alas!! The story is about a doctor's strike!!!

How such substandard sub-editing can go through all the gate-keepers in a national newspaper, and the paper then allowed to hit the stands, is a most undesirable journalism 'stunt.'

THE OBESE LINE BETWEEN NEED & GREED: THE MPS REMIX

That Kenyan Members of Parliament would even consider being accorded a state funeral is diabolically preposterous. Add a hefty send-off package, throw in diplomatic passports and armed bodyguards, and you definitely enter the realm of nefarious avarice and truly cross the obese line between need and greed.

Don't even start with the argument that we get the leaders we deserve. Kenyans' gullibility to the wily ways of politicians in campaign periods, is a sure cause for concern.

But, in all fairness, this kind of behaviour from elected leaders, is beyond many voters' tolerance levels.

Sample the rage depicted below.

THE POLICE IMPOSTER AND THE OPINION COUNT IMPLOSION

That it's a most daring undertaking is not in doubt. For how can someone pose as a high ranking police officer undetected for so long? But when it comes to whether the suspect should face trial for his 'alleged' misdeeds, that is debatable, according to one Kenyan TV station.

How does one even begin to interrogate this 'humongous' journalism faux pas?

Seemingly, the person who crafted this feedback question that is supposed to 'harvest' reactions from the channel's audience, is aware that somebody was impersonating a police officer.

However, it appears he or she is not sure whether anybody found perpetrating such a crime should be answerable or better still, be 'held responsible for his actions.'

And this question, if I can needlessly remind you, is posed after the news item has been broadcast, detailing how this person went to the extent of sacking his supposed junior police officers and even attending a top security meeting.

The onus thus, is thrust to the viewers, to debate and possibly arrive at a 'reasonable' conclusion, courtesy of the not so scientific poll results, to be given at 'the tail end' of the bulletin.

There was a debate alright. But some members of the audience were not so enthralled by the framing of the feedback question.

                                            

Many Kenyans look up to the local media to offer guidance and help them make informed choices. If an alleged serious crime is clothed in so many shades of grey, what is being said about the rule of law and the country's criminal justice system?

2012 BLOG ROLL: THE TOP TOPICS TREAT

It's that time for reflections again. On this platform, the content has been posted at a regular weekly interval. Should this be improved on, in the New Year? Yes. Will this be part of my New Year resolutions? No. The following is a list of the most popular posts of 2012, and the least favourite. 

First, the biggest hits, in descending order:

• Victim Or Villain, Fired Or Just Tired? - Why I left NTV

• Criticising The Critic And The Beauty Of Balance

• Exit Balance: Enter Media House & Political Party Union

• Can Touch This: K24's Touchscreen Broadcast Coup

• Daniel Arap Mo Reporting For Press TV

• My Apologies For A Nasty And Vindictive Media

• Of Ambiguity And Headless Headlines

• Bad News Behind The News Anchor

• The Broken News Of Breaking News

• From The Curse Of Kass FM To The Blessing For Kass TV

And now.......drum roll please.....starting with the least likeable.....presenting the 2012 miss-hits or misfits:

• Journalism & Patriotism: Two Sides Of The Local Currency Coin

• Run Rudisha Run, (And Set A World Record While At It)

• Curb Excessive Coverage Of Politicians

• The End Of Epistolary Beginnings

• Why Senseless Killings In USA Will Continue

• Religion: The Next Frontier Of Tribalism

• Is The Gem MP A Gem Or Is He Now In A Jam?

• Reasons For Exams Season Of Errors

• A Gem Against The Grain Of Media Monotony

• Tragedy Of Media Aggravating Trauma Of Child Victims

I'm most grateful though, to all my readers for the support, criticism and engaging debates. 2013 is another open and exciting invitation to keep the interaction and discussion going. May the New Year bring amazingly good tidings to everyone.

EXIT BALANCE: ENTER MEDIA HOUSE & POLITICAL PARTY UNION

It's not entirely unusual. But it's a very bold endeavour. That the owner of Kenya's most dominant media enterprise has chosen to be publicly associate with a coalition of political parties, ahead of a General Election, is either tactically brilliant, or brilliantly tactless!

Do spare a thought for staffers of a such a 'compromised' media entity. Try as much as they can to be neutral, their coverage of the country's political developments will be perceived to carry the bias albatross.

But by and large, most of the mainstream media houses in Kenya have been known to editorially lean towards a particular political persuasion, if ever so subtly, or at times even blatantly.

You can't therefore expressly criminalise a Kenyan media outlet for overtly identifying with, sponsoring or even supporting a political party, like in other parts of the world.

In the event that the political side being backed by the said media house emerges victorious in the Kenyan polls, then undeniably, it will be viewed very favourably by the incoming administration that it actually helped to propel to power. Brilliantly tactful on this account.

However, after antagonising those opposed to its chosen political stance and strapping the employees with an identity crisis, borne of disregarding the journalism principle of balanced reporting, it would be brilliantly tactless, if the media house is on the losing side, after the March 2013 elections.

WHY SENSELESS KILLINGS IN USA WILL CONTINUE

A leading gaming provider sends out a brand awareness campaign centred on the act of killing. The killing of animals or zombies in the virtual world may look harmless. But is it so hard to figure out that such gaming realities can leap into the realm of real life, and leave America reeling from senseless killings of innocent citizens?

This has got to be the most annoying case of a country setting itself up for needless grief. Unbearable torment repeatedly being dished out to families. Enough of the right to bear arms argument. America needs to seriously disarm its breathing killing machines.

And if preservation of life is not a game, how come popular video games are fashioned around making life extinct?

Moreover, the twisted thrill that comes with exterminating virtual enemies, isn't that like target practise? Combine that with the availability of all manner of weapons in the US and you got yourself a 'ticked ' time bomb.

It's almost like a sick game, where everybody from innocent shoppers in a mall to children in a school is viewed as a 'zombie' in the gaming world, to be wiped out for maniacal points?

So then, is the US going to do something to stop the tide of death, whose foot soldiers are deranged people with no semblance of appreciation of the dignity and sanctity of human life? Holding of one's breath at this point is greatly discouraged.