[kictanet] The role of Media in political developement

David Makali dmakali at yahoo.com
Wed May 16 13:00:01 EAT 2012


Hi Edith and fellow listers,
Rather late in the day but let me acknowledge and appreciate your observations (and Ndemo's compliments) about my contributions on Cheche and the whole debate about the role of the media.  Am attracted by your reference to the qn i put to ole kiyiapi this morning and his answer. I wonder why you were surprised... The point about interviews and discussions of that nature is that some questions will be asked because they are "hanging" out there on people's lips. By "surprise" you seem to suggest that it was an inappropriate or strange qn to ask because that is the kind of politics we are supposed to be steering away from. BUt that is the point - so that the interviewee can have an opportunity to explain that factor. It is not a function of journalism to ask only convenient or selective questions or those that extract the information we expect or would like. That question had political significance because it presented the interviewee with the opportunity
 to explain the difference between his campaign and the others or what is unique about his approach. It does not say anything about my own belief, or whether it was right or wrong. [i privately hold that in politics, perception is everything. you are not going places if you do not appear to be drawing support or endorsement from notable, whcih you must choose carefully. the principal of alliance is a great endorsement for ole kiyiapi, but how many kenyans know him apart from the several thousand alumni?]


but having said so, i think politicians joining the race such as kiyiapi have a lot of work to do to earn the applause they desire. the media is entitled to maintain a skeptical distance. they cannot applaud anything and everything that comes forward from the lips of politicians or anyone for that matter because a lot of things are often deceptive. they need to be tested, given time, and allowed to prosper or perish. granted, the media should not stifle good things and ideas, at what point is that fully determined or convincing? it would be imprudent/ naive for the media to cheer or swallow everything thrown at them without interrogation. only after establishing their worth should the media take up and promote individuals or ideas as credible or progressive. and in the political arena, that takes a while.

i think the idea of linking up programmes like cheche to blogs and other social media is great. we need even greater penetration to share out the messages from the people who want leadership. this forum may wish to know that most of the so-called big aspirants are actually scared of coming on the show and have been dodging. if you know any of them personally, ask them to come on the show and articulate his/her ideas.

david

 
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________________________________
 From: Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.or.ke>
To: dmakali at yahoo.com 
Cc: "kictanet at lists. kictanet. or. ke" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> 
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11:33 AM
Subject: Re: [kictanet] The role of Media in political developement
 
Bwana Ndemo,

Picking on your point about the work Makali is doing on Cheche - I watched it this morning and was surprised by Makali's question to Ole Kiyapi about why his campaigns have such low "mainstream" media coverage and he went on to insinuate that it does not have the "notables" to attract media attention. Kiyapi's response was interesting - made reference to the fact that media should avoid the "herding mentality" - only being attracted by the "big guns", but rather should allow for a level playing field for aspirants to talk issues and to provide a platform for fresh thinkers and not the recycled folks only. 

He made my day when he spoke of a possible "female" running mate - none has mentioned so far!...and I've been watching very keenly, highly disappointed that the constitution despite great gains for women...not much being seen in practice. For the female presidential aspirants, I would be equally disappointed if they do not pick the opposite as running mates. We are equal partners in development.  

This to me underscored the importance of the debate which was started here on KICTANET of the need to create that neutral platform for issues to be discussed...starting with "the role of technology in improving productivity" as you aptly suggested.

Lets make this neutral platform happen - Grace, Walu, Alice?

My reflections today!

Edith

-----Original Message-----
From: bitange at jambo.co.ke [mailto:bitange at jambo.co.ke] 
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 4:35 PM
To: Edith Adera
Cc: kictanet at lists. kictanet. or. ke
Subject: Re: [kictanet] The role of Media in political developement

Edith,
Every Presidential candidate has or is building a blog.  This is an area most listers are good at.  We can generate debate here then a few can get the message to their blogs.  We can start with the role of technology in improving productivity.

Makali is doing an excellent job at the moment.  If he has to comment then let it be advisory or how we can link to Cheche for example and get more support.

Ndemo.
Sent from my BlackBerry(r)

-----Original Message-----
From: Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.or.ke>
Date: Thu, 10 May 2012 16:14:29 
To: bitange at jambo.co.ke<bitange at jambo.co.ke>
Cc: kictanet at lists. kictanet. or. ke<kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: RE: [kictanet] The role of Media in political developement

Bwana Ndemo,

Since Makali has chosen to remain silent on this issue, I wonder whether alternative media (not mainstream)would also provide an alternative source of balanced debate among Kenyans (common persons)....using a wide range of tools including mobile and local level community radio?

we need to do things different and use chpt 6 of the constitution as a yard stick/foundation of those issue-based debates.

Edith
________________________________________
From: kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke [kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of bitange at jambo.co.ke [bitange at jambo.co.ke]
Sent: 10 May 2012 16:00
To: Edith Adera
Cc: kictanet at lists. kictanet. or. ke
Subject: Re: [kictanet] The role of Media in political developement

Mutsi,
I thought the role of Media is to educate, inform and entertain.  Further as a Fourth Estate, Media provides checks and balances.  Already this is happening and we need to support David Makali to continue with his balanced view of Kenyan politics in his programmes with Citizen.  It is our responsibility to ask more Kenyans to watch.

These programmes are not only informative but an education to the people of Kenya.  We simply need to scale up and have competing candidates respond to issues.

Ndemo.


Sent from my BlackBerry(r)

-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Mutsi <cmutsi at yahoo.com>
Sender: kictanet-bounces+bitange=jambo.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.keDate: Thu, 10 May 2012 03:29:23
To: <bitange at jambo.co.ke>
Cc: kictanet at lists. kictanet. or. ke<kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] The role of Media in political developement

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