[kictanet] Cyber Cop

Tue Mar 19 11:55:11 EAT 2013

Please excuse my ignorance but in responding to Emmanuel's input I don't
see the relationship between media's black out on politicians and the
insanity on social media.

Let's put this in context - the media blackout affects a select few - the
political elite who are looking for a platform to push their own personal
and political agendas. The blackout has to a certain extent protected
Kenyans from their inflammatory statements.

On the other hand, the social media activity involves hundreds, if not
thousands of individuals who are expressing their personal opinions (as
negative and unsavoury as those might be). I place emphasis here on
*expressing their opinion*. The fact that they are using social media as
one of the channels where their opinion gets aired is simply that, a matter
of fact. I am sure that they express the same opinion in their homes, over
their phones, in their hair salons, bars, classrooms, gyms etc...This is
because the opinion belongs to them.

Let us not be naive and try to separate the opinion from the individual
behind it. That to me, is the more important issue. A tribal tirade on
social media is indicative of a tribal opinion held by an individual with
tribal beliefs. Solve the basic problem of promoting Kenyanness, unity and
a non-tribal outlook and I believe that strides begin to be made towards
solving the problem.

My two cents,

Brian

On Tue, Mar 19, 2013 at 10:08 AM, Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote:

>  John F. Kennedy - “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will
> make violent revolution inevitable”****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Emmanuel Khisa [mailto:oloo.khisa at googlemail.com]
> *Sent:* March 19, 2013 9:50 AM
> *To:* Edith Adera
> *Cc:* oloo.khisa at gmail.com; KICTAnet - Media Editors Forum; KICTAnet ICT
> Policy Discussions
> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Cyber Cop****
>
> ** **
>
> +1,****
>
>  ****
>
> Indeed cyber responsiblilty is not a standalone initiative...cyber exists
> as a channel for expressing the societal views and does not therefore exist
> on its on...****
>
>  ****
>
> The day we realise that gagging the traditional media does not work in the
> 21st century internet age we will start making steps to tackle the
> difficult issues the SOUL of the country is struggling with.****
>
>  ****
>
> We can make noise about responsible internet use but for as long as the
> media blacks out channels of communications, blogsphere will remain the
> only media of expression for the populace...****
>
>  ****
>
> IMHO we are a country that is quick to bury its head in the sand and now
> we are left with a simmering problem on Agenda 4 which remain unattended to
> and which is awaiting an opportune time to explode..****
>
>  ****
>
> Regard****
>
> On Tue, Mar 19, 2013 at 9:09 AM, Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote:****
>
> Bwana Ndemo,****
>
>  ****
>
> As I reflected on your unenviable job as a “cyber cop” (watching you on
> The Trend last Friday) and stumbled on this article by Gaitho entitled “The
> demented postings on social media must stop before blood flows”
> http://www.nation.co.ke/blogs/-/446672/1723754/-/ee6vonz/-/index.html  it
> occurred to me that we probably need something deeper, while we must
> address the madness online.****
>
>  ****
>
> You’re on record here advocating for policy/decision-making based on
> empirical/research evidence. I recall your spirited campaign about the
> Cancer Bill that MPs excitedly passed without the benefit of scientific
> evidence as to “the actual cause of cancers in Kenya”. You argued that you
> wished they did not get excited about addressing the symptoms of the
> problem, but the root cause.****
>
>  ****
>
> As you crack down on cyber haters (to address the *symptoms* of the
> problem), could we also ask ourselves a couple of questions (listers, feel
> free to add more questions) to get to the ROOT CAUSE of this ANGER:****
>
>  ****
>
> *why are people so angry? ****
>
> *is this anger only in cyberspace? ****
>
> *If not, to what extent is it a reflection of simmering (unexpressed)
> anger on the ground?****
>
> *what are the implications of unexpressed anger?****
>
> *why are people comfortable to express such deep anger online and not
> offline? What are they afraid of?****
>
> *How can long-lasting co-existence be achieved, once and for all?****
>
> * etc etc etc****
>
>  ****
>
> Someone has work to do as we try to address the short-term symptoms – is
> it the academic community? or pollsters can have a post-election job to do?
> I don’t know, but the RROT CAUSE, we must find including the solutions.***
> *
>
>  ****
>
> Reflective Edith****
>
>  ****
>
>  ****
>
>
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>
>
>
>
> -- ****
> "Service to Mankind is the greatest form of service"...**** ** **
>
> *
> Oloo Khisa
> P.O. Box 24324-00100
> Nairobi
> 0721321086/0731849128
> http://ke.linkedin.com/in/olookhisa*****
>
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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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