Media: Its a Thorny affair in Kenya

I recently argued that Daniel arap Moi, Kenya’s former president, was the better devil compared to the incumbent. Are we on the right track? 

First, I do not support the suppression of the media. I may not like how the media behaves (as happened in the 2007 general elections and constitutional review referendum when they became partisan) but I will support their right to speak freely. As far as free speech is concerned, the media has scored impressively. We must all come to the media’s aid when the government wants to gag it.  

However, we must also know that the media is the single source of moral decadence. Media owners have done nothing to stop obscene programs that spoil our children. The FM Radio stations are worse. One presenter talks scrap all day long. The other one abuses politicians whom he thinks are opposed to his political alienation all the time.

As we support the media at their hour of need, let us not forget that the media is creating a blood thirsty Kenya. And it is our moral duty to put the media in the iron curb of reasoning. Let us not be duped into supporting the media without getting a guarantee from the media that they can reform on their own as well.

The media is thirsty for blood; Parliamentarians are thirsty of blood; The Judiciary is thirsty for blood, The Executive is thirsty for blood, and so are the people. Where will this stop? I bet it stops with the creation of a new constitution.

We must now write a new constitution where all our rights are enshrined. We must all know our rights as Kenyans. We must know that the media must also not lord it over us. The media must not have the absolute right to inform and  misinform at the same time. We must demand that the media stops bombarding us with programs and reporting that do not add value to us and our children. The buck must stop at some door.

By Odhiambo T. Oketch of Komarocks Watch