[kictanet] Media

[Edith Adera]

Dr Ndemo,

The wording of the TOR appears more of "an inquiry into" rather than what
has been the subject of discussion - "evaluation of". Again, the main
purpose of this "something" including how the results will be used need to
be spelt out from the outset. It's not included in the TOR.

An integrated approach to examining the issues, in my view, would be more
helpful than specifically targeting the media per se....as the study would
appear to have pre-empted the findings without allow an objective and
holistic assessment of what occurred taken into consideration what I called
"key boundary partners". Is there room to change the approach?

Edith


 



-----Original Message-----
From: bitange at jambo.co.ke [mailto:bitange at jambo.co.ke] 
Sent: 14 February 2008 13:39
To: Edith Adera
Cc: bitange at jambo.co.ke; 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions'
Subject: RE: [kictanet] Media

Dear Edith,
History is always a good teacher.  When Rwanda had a political crisis,
some FM station worsened the situation.  In our case, no one denies the
fact that we were in a crisis towards the end of December.  It was
desperate and we too desperate measures.  No one can say what would have
happened if we let media inflame passions of our people.  Further you very
well know that media was liberalized withou putting a legal framework in
place.  We for example have no regulatory mechanism for electronic media. 
We are the least regulated (electronic media) country in the World. This
is not good for a developing country like ours.

Media has taken advantage of the vacum and if you recall last year we lost
a case against a leading media house when we tried to stop them from
airing movies of adult nature during prime time.  There is no problem
showing reality.  However, jounalistic principals and ethics must be
observed.  You watched the whole episode of twin towers and inspite the
fact that many people died, you did not see a single body.  I rather not
delve into the bribery issue which is a reflection of our society and must
be dealt with by all.  Why can't we be the leading light in this
endeavour?

Our hypothesis on the fourth estate is that its important role in society
is serously threatened by multiple factors including tribalism, lack of
ethics, poor training, poor pay etc. Below please find the proposed TOR
for the Tast force.  I would appreatiate it if you added that which we may
have omitted.

1.	To inquire into the role of, and make recommendations about, the
conduct, performance and professionalism (or lack thereof) of the media
sector prior, during and post the 10th General Election

2.	To inquire into the role of, and make recommendations about,
vernacular
FM radio broadcasting during the same period and their contribution to,
and or complicity in the preparations for violence, the conduct of
violence and its aftermath

3.	To inquire into, and make recommendations about, the impact and
dynamics of media ownership vis a vis the 10th General Election

4.	To inquire into, and make recommendations about, the employment
criteria and the working conditions of journalists vis a vis their
commitment to professional standards and conduct as contained in the Code
of Conduct of Journalism in Kenya

5.	To inquire into, and make recommendations about, the education and
training of journalists and the training institutions that certify
journalists as professionals

6.	To inquire into, and make recommendations about, the training of
journalists as regards the coverage of national democratic events such as
general elections and referenda

7.	To inquire into, and make recommendations about the impact of the
phenomena of opinion polling and political advertising on media content
and conduct

8.	 To inquire into, and make recommendations about, the role of
foreign
correspondents and news agencies during the 10th General Election

9.	 To inquire into and make recommendations about the accreditation of
journalists both local and international.


Ndemo.






---------------------------------------------- 
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.
---------------------------------------------
"easy access to the world"