[kictanet] Media Bill 2007.

[bitange at jambo.co.ke]

Dear All,
Our media continue publish one sided stories.  In my view it is important
that we shed some light on the Media Bill and the Integrity of the
Industry.

It should be obvious that integrity in media is of great importance to the
public, to individual journalists and their institutions, and to the
health of the media enterprise. The increasing social, economic, and
political significance of media has led to greater demands that
journalists and their institutions be held accountable when using public
funds. Media subjects and their families expect journalism to do what is
necessary to minimize the risks posed by irresponsible reporting.  Society
rely on the honesty and competency of professionals, and society's
confidence in and support for media rests on public trust in the integrity
of journalists and their institutions. It is incumbent upon the media
community to create and nurture an environment that both promotes high
ethical standards and preserves public trust in journalistic inquiry.

Yet, all is not well in the media community. Several high-profile
incidents, ranging from blatant disregard for the principal of
objectivity, to the fabrication of articles, to the death of breadth of
subjects outside politics, have raised concerns about the integrity of
those engaged in media. During the past year, we have seen too many
instances of media misconduct, like the front page pictures of Matheri’s
innocent children.   Another leading daily fabricates a story that an
opposition leader visits State house.  Who will forget the Hope FM
incident where innocent lives were lost yet the Government was blamed for
not taking action in advance.   Incidents such as these have in most cases
tainted the noble profession of journalism.  The Media Bill is indeed
Media Council Bill just like the Nursing Council Act, Medical
Practitioner’s Act, etc.  Lawyers, Pharmacists, Architects, Engineers all
subscribe to some Act of Parliament to guard against their own excesses
and the consumers.

In the past few days we have witnessed Media at its worst – manipulating
public opinion – by only telling one side of the story in the process
breaching their own ethical standards.    Check all articles on Media
Bill.  They have even gone to the extent of gathering a number of
activists and calling such meetings as stakeholder.  Government which is a
major stakeholder (supplies 90% of the news through KNA to Media houses)
is not even invited.  Not one of those meeting that they have entertained
the other side of the of the story.  This indeed should be the very reason
why the Media Council must step in to advise on media’s responsibilities.

In Tanzania where the same process is going on, views are analyzed from
both sides.  Media does not retract on their word.  Despite the fact media
developed the current Media Council Bill, they continue to argue that
Government did not consult stakeholders.  You now understand why a good
constitution was defeated.  Should we allow a few individuals to make
decisions that affect our future?  There is imminent danger if media is
not regulated simply because they have not managed to regulate themselves
without statutes.  Do you want to see another Hope FM scenario? 
Vernacular stations are preaching Venom and if it gets worse, you know who
the media will blame.

Our only hope is that we are increasingly becoming a knowledge society and
Internet with or without print and electronic media will enable us to
communicate.  Media has refused to publish alternative views on the Media
Bill.  Luckily they cannot mislead everbody.


Ndemo



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