[kictanet] Slaying the Tribal Monster!

Thu Feb 7 16:30:40 EAT 2013

+1 Edith

On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 4:02 PM, Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote:

> Bwana Ndemo,
>
> Glad to know you had a press conference to begin to tame this "monster".
>
> I think the media can do more by creating a platform to allow us to begin
> to move as a nation towards healing, reconciliation and cohesion. What we
> seem to be lacking as a country is a unifying, strategic framework with
> clear phased out plan for implementation that would move us in that
> direction so we can "unlearn" what is entrenched in our systems and build a
> better Kenya. I don't know what NCIC is doing except chasing "haters" (read
> "hate speech"), but I think a more coherent and strategic approach is
> required involving the media and galvanizing the citizens around it.
>
> This is what the media should have "time" for rather than to
> over-politicize everything....and waste valuable airtime on politicians who
> are not helping us move forward as a country....then ordinary citizens
> become spectators. For example Julie's past show "fist to five" is a good
> example of how you can take a nation through dealing with the reality
> (tribalism) & healing, but you MUST then follow immediately with a strategy
> to take the nation to a place of healing and cohesion - and there are ways
> to do that at a national level.
>
> Infact, I was wondering, by now we should have "unpacked" all Presidential
> candidates like is done elsewhere (e.g. US and other places) to really know
> who they are.....past performance/achievements, social life, weaknesses,
> etc etc and focus on how they can deliver on real issues. (without tearing
> ourselves apart). Secondly, we should not vote "6 piece suit" but for every
> elective position gauge against leadership standards so you chose the right
> leader irrespective of their party (what is called "skirt and blouse" or
> "trouser and shirt" elsewhere)...NO 6 piece suits (they don't exist in the
> world anyway!)
>
> I was in Ghana for official duty during their Presidential campaigns (just
> before the election day), I was amazed at how the candidates were so much
> under scrutiny from citizens that they could not focus on anything else
> except "desperately sell their development agendas"...and on the sidelines
> civil society were busy traversing the country preaching peach and many
> saying "we can't afford a Kenya here in Ghana" (yet to me, it seemed
> peaceful and the indicators of potential violence were not obvious...so
> their level of desperation for peace caught my attention). When I enquired,
> some said we have been through hell as a nation with many coup d'états and
> wars that they have come to a place where they fight for peace first! Do we
> want to go through that pain to learn?
>
> I recall the IEBC chair reporting after his return from monitoring the
> Ghanaian that he was impressed at how everyone carried themselves including
> the media.
>
> Why are we allowing this madness in Kenya? The media needs to rethink and
> revisit their editorial policies and strategies. I hope Citizen TV and
> others are listening
>
> Edith
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bitange at jambo.co.ke [mailto:bitange at jambo.co.ke]
> Sent: February 6, 2013 7:07 PM
> To: Edith Adera
> Cc: Julie Gichuru; KICTAnet - Media Editors Forum; KICTAnet ICT Policy
> Discussions
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Slaying the Tribal Monster!
>
> Edith,
> We must take a few moments to congraturate our Media for sticking with
> issues.  David Makali and team in his two programmes, Julie Gichuru and
> their colleagues from other stations have done a sterling job but we are
> let down everytime these politicians pick up the microphone to talk to the
> harpless citizens.
>
>
> Ndemo.
>
>
>
>
> > Listers,
> >
> > I can't resist but share my pain....that indeed the media can
> > entertain "raw tribal discussions" on live TV! While one may argue
> > that it's reality and we must deal with it, if it divides us and tears
> > us apart, why not pursue other alternatives?...why not take advantage
> > of this defining moment in our history (backed by the current
> > constitution) to build a NEW FOUNDATION and help the country "unlearn"
> > these bad habits that we've been socialized into over the years and
> > has taken us no-where? It's possible to "unlearn"!!
> >
> > The good bible tells us "teach thy children the ways of the Lord and
> > they shall never depart from it"....in the same vein "feed Kenyans
> > with positive vibes and we shall build a stronger and more united
> country"
> >
> > Media (which forms this important industry represented on this list)
> > is well aware that by their very nature, they "set the agenda and
> > shape public opinion". You have a huge responsibility to play in
> > carving a great future for Kenya, stand up and resist ethnic division
> > in this country. We must build our nation based on development
> > concerns and address issues dear to the hearts of Kenyans.
> >
> > When last time (2007/2008), Bwana Ndemo gave his opinion (official or
> > non-official) about the role the media played in 2007, I wonder if he
> > wasn't right? Where is NCIC? Where is the Media Council?
> >
> > This madness has to stop!
> >
> > Edith (my heart is bleeding for Kenya).
> >
> >
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> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
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