Freedom of press day: A time for sober reflection
Editorial
By
The Standard
| May 04, 2017
The traditional media in Kenya is facing an enemy far greater than the clampdown made common in the days of Mwakenya publications. Declining advertisement revenue has brought pressure to bear on the role of conventional media in society.
Secondly, traditional media must rise against revolutionary technology that is pressing forward. Social media is emerging as a substitute for news outlets. Yet it is increasingly becoming a conduit for what is commonly referred to as "alternative facts"; where truth is jostling for space with falsehoods and innuendo packaged as news. And so, like never before, society deserves quality journalism that protects public interest.
The role of the media cannot be underestimated; by holding the feet of especially politicians to the fire, it plays a critical watchdog role in governance. Kenya's record in governance is not impressive. Media has consistently called out those leaders who have crossed the line. And so Kenya is better because of, not in spite of the media.
Secondly, the media has been at the forefront in fighting corruption- now feared to have reached hideous levels-and blamed for most of the ills in our society. Obviously, a media that has been deprived of resources cannot pay their journalists well. That undermines their critical role.
READ MORE
Kenyan retailers ready to pounce as Ethiopia to open up market
Hiring civil servants on contract will fuel corruption, experts say
Absa Life Assurance earnings jump 84pc to Sh667 million
Ruto pushes rich nations to boost funding for poor States
Counties sitting on Sh1b emergency fund amid raging floods
Poultry players protest US import deal plan
Uptake of AI-powered home solutions low despite many benefits
Logistics firm eyes bigger market pie after MSC pact, rebrand
The words of former British MP Edmund Burke that there were "Three Estates in Parliament; but, in the Reporters' Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important far than they all..." ring true today as it did 220 years ago.
- Hiring civil servants on contract will fuel corruption, experts say
- Kenyan retailers ready to pounce as Ethiopia to open up market
- KQ suspends flights to Kinshasa over detention of staff
- Is government on 'fuliza' mode?