[kictanet] Role of the Media in Kenyan Elections

Mon Mar 11 17:56:31 EAT 2013

I am confused at what we really expected from the media.

I agree the peace message was all together flogged and possibly misused to
drown out those who are at times opposed to anything associated with
a government operation. In my opinion the reliance on the IEBC to provide
figures and the lack of tolerance to politicians holding live press
conferences was the best turn of events.

Others argued we didn't really have peace just heavy militarisation of our
streets to deter any protest. There is truth to this but I would rather
have this than a guys head chopped off infront of me.

I believe we could not afford any more violence this time round and as we
can remember from the last time, everyone looses especially the business
community of which the media houses are a solid part of. So in a purely
selfish choice of action, avoiding the violence was a priority.

And let us not lie to ourselves that things would have gone as smoothly if
each media house kept tits own tally from heaven knows where. In my opinion
a single source of information also strengthens the commission ans=d
scrutiny is directed to it for better transparency.

On Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 5:35 PM, Warigia Bowman <warigia at gmail.com> wrote:

> Eric. Plus one (+1). I do believe that #Africaisinmotion
>
> On Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 4:37 AM, Eric Osiakwan <ericosiakwan at me.com>wrote:
>
>> Edith hello:
>>
>> Sometimes, it is better not to say nothing or pretend to be stupid for
>> life to go on than to speak (demand your right) and end up with "violence"
>> and life retrogresses - just saying.....
>>
>> I think you Kenyans should really commend yourselves, you have raised the
>> bar on electoral conduct and peaceful outcomes no matter how long it takes
>> -- the level of maturity exhibited by the average Wananchi is awesome. I
>> saw first hand the level of investment that went into this election by
>> government, media, parties etc and by all means those investments must pay
>> off -- democracy is an expensive enterprise.
>>
>> Something just hit me, Nigeria elected a 55year old President and Ghana
>> followed suit by electing a 54year old and now you Kenyans have elected a
>> 51year old -- the youngest President if am not wrong (i stand corrected)
>> and i have noting against the older folks but i think this is
>> significant....
>>
>> Edith, in other words what am saying is, dont beat yourself too hard,
>> Nigeria invested in a voters register that did not turn out well but their
>> elections was scored above board, Ghana invested in biometrics for our last
>> elections and it did not work out well but we scored above board and Kenya
>> has done same, raising the bar. Offcourse we need to do introspection and
>> better the processes and systems for the future, starting now.
>>
>> For now, am just excited for Africa, we would fix this continent of ours
>> and make it the best place for generations to come #AfricaIsInMotion.
>>
>> Good day and great week, ya all.
>>
>> Eric here
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11 Mar 2013, at 08:34, Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote:
>>
>> Listers,****
>> ** **
>> For the 2007 elections, Bwana Ndemo is on record here (KICTANET)
>> condemning the role of the media in fueling the violence.****
>> ** **
>> In 2013, the media played a different role. If you now reflect back –
>> deep and hard – it occurred to me that  the over-rated, over-hyped,
>> over-done "call for peace" was actually a "tool of oppression"!!****
>>
>> Why do I say this? Many a Kenyans found themselves speechless and
>> voiceless….you were not given a chance to speak your mind, to question, to
>> freely air your opinions or liberally reflect on the going ons.  You were
>> promptly slapped with the "peace call” which immediately silenced you! Why
>> should I feel silenced by “a call for peace”? Our national anthem talks of
>> “peace and liberty”, what happened to “liberty” during this period?****
>>
>> Most Kenyans locked themselves in their houses, scared stiff of the
>> unknown. Reflecting back it was truly a "silence tool".****
>>
>> In my view, what is going on in Kenya is God’s birth of a NEW KENYA. It
>> is NOT (and I repeat NOT) about THE WINNER or THE LOSERS (Do NOT get me
>> wrong – I don’t mind about that). It is about laying a NEW FOUNDATION for
>> Kenya that is built on TRUTH (RIGHTEOUSNESS) and JUSTICE, especially during
>> this Jubilee period (50 years of our existence as a nation as we enter into
>> the next 50 years – the next Jubilee).****
>>
>> From now on, and as our national anthem aptly states, JUSTICE will truly
>> be our SHIELD and DEFENDER.****
>>
>> Sustainable peace (not FALSE PEACE) is built on the foundations of TRUTH
>> (righteousness) and JUSTICE.****
>>
>> Reflective Edith****
>> * *
>> *Quote: I should like to be able to love my country and still love
>> justice (Albert Camus)*
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>>
>>     Eric M.K Osiakwan
>> +233244386792
>>
>>
>>
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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.
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Dr. Warigia Bowman
> Assistant Professor
> Clinton School of Public Service
> University of Arkansas
> wbowman at clintonschool.uasys.edu
> http://democratizingegypt.blogspot.com
> -------------------------------------------------
> View my research on my SSRN Author page:
> http://ssrn.com/author=1479660
> --------------------------------------------------
>
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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.
>

-- 
Regards,

Mark Mwangi

markmwangi.me.ke
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