The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national
and international interest.
Not long time ago, Kenya was on the brink of collapse, after the disputed General Election of 2007. Infuriated Kenyans were up in arms, and this was made worse by the myriad media broadcasters who hyped and propagated venomous sentiments from the differing political protagonist: the end result was over 1,000 souls lost and about a million others displaced.
Journalists must revisit the ugly 2007/2008 scenario and swiftly change their mode of coverage. What we are witnessing today through media broadcasters is a reminder that we are a forgetful country. The moment the investigative arm of the Government has taken up a hate speech case, then I see no valid reason for media to keep re-playing the emotive clip many times over.
This can only give birth to a more venomous and injurious reply from a group which was earlier targeted and it is worse if the targeted is an ethnic group.
Recklessness in media reporting will collapse the country. The court of public opinion will not bring justice in the war against hate speech; it will only worsen the situation.
join