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.
The importance of a sensible flow of thought is increasingly being overlooked in the Kenyan media scene. This should be factored in from the crafting of news stories, to the packaging and delivery of the same. Failure to do so will unleash upon the audience, the pain of dancing to media discordance.
Why is it possible, e.g., for a Kiswahili newscast to have a 'Breaking News' banner entirely written in English? Is it impossible to translate the information and deliver it in the same language the presenters are using to communicate with the target audience?
And why should a newspaper use words that twist the meaning or context of a depicted situation, to create a false impression? The headline of the above article heavily suggests the late Senator Mutula Kilonzo spookily spoke his last words to his wife, while anticipating his imminent demise.
This blatantly contradicts what the main body of the story clearly states. And since the context of Mutula's statement is so evident in this section of the article, one can only speculate about the competence of the headline writer for this moving story.
And just how can a national paper be allowed to go to print with such 'grammarcide' and confidently hit the newsstand?
Reactions, after reports that American President Barack Obama will once again skip Kenya, in his second tour of Africa, have exposed how the East African nation is insecure in its relationship with the West. But the East is beckoning and its allure is gaining traction locally, if not globally.
- The Chinese have incredibly found a way of fusing millennia-old traditions and the trappings of modernisation.
- The people are friendly and very welcoming, when it comes to interaction with international visitors. Perhaps curiosity plays a big part but there is no belittlement or lack of dignity and respect in the engagement.
- Every effort is made to ensure that huge pubic investments, like the Beijing Olympic Park, continue to generate revenue, years after the games closed shop.
- The citizens derive great pleasure in visiting landmark sites like the Tiananmen Square...
...and exploring the rich history of the Forbidden City......
...to the ancient wonder of the world that is the Great Wall of China.
- And let no one fool you that doing business with the East is perilous. The West itself is already deeply immersed in trading with China, (the numerous KFC outlets in Beijing are an apt indicator).
For more than 15 minutes, a national TV station saw no need to correctly state, who is Kenya's Head of State. From the start of the live newscast, a grossly misleading on screen graphic, was prominently displayed. The apology came much later, and its delivery was even more shocking.
In the first instance, did the error completely elude the attention of the entire production and editorial crew involved in preparing this particular broadcast? And if one or more people noticed it, was there no way of raising the alert promptly?
And if the 'little monumental' mistake found its way on air, one would expect somebody would have detected it, simply because it was staring right back at whoever cared to look at it.
In spite of all the complexities associated with a live news broadcast, there is just no excuse for the attention to details and presence of mind elements to be so grossly overlooked.
But the clincher came, about 17 minutes later.
Somebody eventually realised something had gone wrong. And I can risk a hefty bet that the clue must have emanated from the social media circles.
Soon after, the news presenter offered the station's apology, but almost as a by the way, matter of non-importance, needle in a haystack inconsequential serendipity...with a chuckle!!!
And that is why in my books, the apology is not acceptable! (it's also negating the viewer's intelligence by saying the error was a typo: 'Raila' and 'Rais' are at most distant cousins lexicographically).
The live broadcast of Kenya's former President falling down, during a public function, has been interpreted and interrogated from conflicting perspectives. But should those images have been beamed as is, or should the TV cameras have been turned the other way?
Well, it does raise some ethical considerations for media houses. However, the incident just happened after Mwai Kibaki had given his address and the cameras were still trained on him.
I'm sure no local media house intended to embarrass the former Head of State. Perhaps an astute director might have been able to choose between carrying on with the live pictures of Kibaki falling, and taking a cutaway.
That aside, the reactions in social media circles ranged from the humane to the deranged.
Live location TV news is a very complex and hard to perfect broadcast. It's however, not too much for the viewer to expect to see a smooth and coordinated production. That is why a location producer and support staff are vital. It is not a pretty sight, when the reporters and camera crews are 'left' on their own.
Picture this: Reporter A and B (sharing one camera on location), alternate in giving the live commentary, and also share the task of sourcing for people to interview.
Reporter A tries to persuade, nay beg potential guests to come to the 'mobile set' for a quick chat, as the camera is rolling. Some agree to be interviewed, but some seem least interested. The rejection beamed live to viewers.
Reporter B then walks into the live shot and engages Reporter A. Amazingly, Reporter B asks Reporter A a question, but Reporter A is busy scouting the area for a 'prized' interviewee.
So the question literally hangs in the air, on air. Then Reporter A bolts out of the live shot and leaves Reporter B to fly solo in the narration.
And before long, Reporter A is back, with a guest in tow. Microphones clumsily change hands, as Reporter B physically 'wipes' out of the camera view.
I'm all for creativity and spontaneity, in energised walk and talk, live presentations. But at some point, all these movements become tiring to the eye.
TV has a big element of showbiz and showmanship. But visual 'chaos' adds little value to the overall delivery.
That's why the location producer(s), could perhaps have played a more prominent role here, to ease the burden placed on the 'awesome' Reporters A and B, and lessen the viewing pain for the audience.
And also, the chances of one hearing, "President Uhuru Kibatta" or "Mwai Kinyatta" could have drastically diminished.
The in-coming government has grand ideas about how to move Kenya forward. But what does it all mean to the blind photographer, recently featured in one of the local news channels? That kind of nexus is what the media should endeavour to probe, as opposed to mere reportage of isolated 'great stories' of the day.
Undoubtedly, that blind photography story was so inspiring. It depicted the enduring quest for survival, in spite of all manner of challenges facing humanity. And to many viewers perhaps, it served to indicate how their day to day predicaments pale, when compared to the burden faced by other Kenyans.
And thus, my worry that there is a missed opportunity here, to challenge those in authority to tailor make policies, and make them more responsive to the needs of people like Richard Rono. And yes. Much more can be done.
I have had the privilege of doing a blind photography TV feature, only that it was in the United Kingdom. Before you dismiss this as an unfair comparison of what goes on in the developed world and a Third World country, hear me out.
The subjects in my story had a similar visual impairment afflicting Rono. But Brian Negus (pictured above) is entirely doing his photography as a hobby.
And yet he has government sanctioned access to gadgets that not only make his pass-time practical, but also equipment and technology that makes his life without proper vision, very much bearable. But as for Rono, his photography is his main means of earning a livelihood.
He subsequently makes a passionate appeal for assistance, stressing that transportation is his main challenge. But who is he addressing in particular? A central Government or area Governor perchance, let alone well-wishers?
This is why I strongly believe that the right social welfare policies could alleviate the plight of the likes of Rono.
His life too can be made a little more bearable, though not exactly like that of Negus, just yet. And therein lies my challenge to the Kenyan media. If possible, try and look at the bigger picture, when covering such stories.
NB: The blind photography story that I'm making reference to, was a collaborative effort with my great colleagues, Ady Nugroho and Sadia Hasanzada.
Is the Kenyan electoral process a winner takes all? No. There's a high premium attached to competitive politics. A strong Opposition will make the government of the elected President to be more accountable. But the country's laws could force the main election losers to take the high road to political oblivion. Cue in the politics of reincarnation.
Following their election defeat, there is genuine concern that the former Prime Minister and former Vice President could be destined for political obscurity, despite the coalition they lead, very much constituting the Official Opposition.
But is that good or bad for Kenya?
Below is a sample of the opinions going round on the social media ground.
