Public believes state interferes with media

Ipsos Kenya Lead Analyst Tom Wolf addressing the media during the release of report on Anti-Corruption and Economic status of the Country. (Photo: Elvis Ogina/Standard)

The Ipsos survey shows that only 32 per cent of Kenyans believe that the media are independent.

Some 66 per cent had a contrary opinion with 39, 12 and 15 per cent respectively saying that the media are either ‘partly’ independent, ‘not independent at all’ or ‘not sure.’

Apart from KBC and K24, Royal Media Services was the most affected with State influence and interference (27 per cent).

This was followed by Standard Group (14 per cent) and Nation Media Group (12 per cent). Some 18 per cent were not sure. Another 25 per cent said there is no influence at all while three per cent said all are media are equally victims.

“More Kenyans also view Royal Media Services as the most independent (28 per cent), though at least for opposition supporters, it is tied with The Standard Group on this category (30 per cent each),” the report read in part.

Ipsos’ Tom Wolf said in the most independent media house category, Royal Media was followed by Standard Group (25 per cent) and Nation (nine per cent).

“Dictating how stories are reported, who reports them, and if they should be reported at all are just some of the state interference witnessed,” said Wolf.