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Time to rethink philanthropy journalism in East Africa
By Anthony Wafula and Mendi Njonjo
Journalists in Kenya protesting against muzzling of the media.
If we consider that journalism
is about freely exchanging
information based on news,
views or ideas, then the context
within which journalism is
practised matters. In East Africa
this context is challenging.
Intimidation and harassment of
journalists is rife. Critical media
outlets are being shut down on
flimsy grounds and others starved
of government advertisement.
Punitive media laws targeting
journalists and media outlets have
been enacted. Poor organization
among journalists and feeble self-
regulation attempts haven’t helped
the situation.
In essence, this context has
contributed to an increasingly weak
media where ‘survival journalism’ is
taking root.
Self-censorship, pandering to
commercial and political interests,
the sacking of critical journalists
and closure of media outlets
continue to undermine the
existence of an independent and
free media in the region.
We hold that a conducive working
environment, an enabling legal and
policy environment, and support
for freedom of expression are some
of the prerequisite conditions for
great journalism.
These conditions are not mutually
exclusive for those supporting
media development in Kenya.
A 2006 BBC World Service Trust pan-
African research report on the African
Media
Development
Initiative
outlines sector-wide approaches in
Kenya, though documentation on
their effectiveness is scant.
In 2008, a Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA)-Kenya
commissioned Kenya Media sector
analysis report suggests that, though
holistic approaches might have been
in evidence at the time of the World
Service Trust report, they had been
abandoned two years later.
Kenya Media Sector Analysis paints
a picture of media development
initiatives dedicated to ‘capacity
building programmes for media as
part of core programme support
for civic education on gender,
governance, democracy, human
rights, HIV/AIDS and other health
issues, livelihoods, security, and
sector reforms’.
This is despite the report’s
observation that Kenya’s media
sector is ‘characterized by serious
and chronic system-wide challenges
that require effective, coordinated
and systemic approaches’. In our
view, the approaches cited in the
CIDA report haven’t been effective
due to their short-term nature and
have largely dwelt on two aspects
within the media ecosystem –
professionalism
and
content
production.
Philanthropists thus need to
question whether such short-
term approaches are responsive
to the East Africa context and
the extent to which such support
enhances a sustainable media
ecosystem.
Sustainable media ecosystems
in our view include strong,
independent, professional media
and media institutions, vibrant
journalists’ associations, media
training institutions, media and
journalism regulatory bodies, and
a supportive government.
A radio presenter hosting a talk
show on Radio Jambo.