Debates in Media and Elections in Kenya are Healthy

One of the roles of the media is to provide a platform for deliberating important issues. However, in an article published on the (DN, May 8), Mr Isaiah Cherutich has shot himself in the foot for two reasons. Firstly, in this century one cannot afford to celebrate the power of the media. Secondly, he risks censoring a vibrant discussion that is taking shape on the role of the media in the society. If we think that debates in media and politics are sterile, then one would prefer a society without a media. Mr Cherutich has the opinion that media scholars must not challenge each other. I totally disagree. In a vibrant democracy, multiplicity of thought in a public spheres such as the media is a welcome move towards democratic advancement – Scholars are therefore encouraged to debate.

The writer’s roof-top cry reminds me of the traditional rivalry between journalism and media studies. The latter is presumed to be the academic backbone of the former. The fact that he echoes the error made by Prof Obonyo regarding who sets the agenda during an election and the controversy surrounding whether or not media manufactures ‘reality’ is a testimony that he is theoretically malnourished. The reason why he holds such a view is easy to establish since it is inherent in his epistemological premise emanating from a media practice background or ‘school of thought’. The latter has got very little to offer regarding media theories. Mr Cherutich’s  argument that those who practice in newsrooms as ‘journalists’ have got more moral authority over critical media discourses than those who merely research on media theories in universities is unsustainable.


If he considered more modern media theories, then it would seem like a joke to insist that media does not ‘manufacture’ consensus and this should not be conflated with the idea that media fabricates issues. The conclusion that media is not in the business of ‘cultural production’ is misleading since it also means that journalists who use the media to produce discourses of violence during elections should not be held accountable. A better scrutiny of the conduct of the media should go beyond assumptions that the media is too powerful on one side and audiences are helpless on the other. If we are convinced that such a relationship is immutable, then we are taking things for granted.


Flesh and blood journalists must be held accountable for their ‘facts’. The latter are usually chosen selectively in news representation. Media representation is problematic because it necessarily alters the original. Journalism is like a search light that can choose to illuminate selected facts while leaving others in the dark. Objectivity, that Cherutich ‘cherishes’, is a journalistic myth (system of coherence and relevance) that is meant to safeguard against accusations of bias. In fact, his story did not reflect objectivity. Journalists would generally balance stories as a conventional practice with little emphasis on what they choose to say on both sides. So questions should concern rethinking journalistic conventions beyond the normative Western ones. Can Cherutich offer us some viable options?


He also contradicts himself by rubbishing theoretical foundations of journalistic practice (media studies) but yet goes ahead to mention three, ‘old school’ theories.  One cannot simply argue that journalism is a newsroom practice therefore we should do away with theories. We can equally not argue that those academically equipped to understand the modus operandi of the media have got nothing of substance to offer when critiquing the media. In fact, criticisms about the conduct of journalism are what led to the birth of media studies as a discipline. Lastly, we should refrain from assuming that the media is too powerful. Audiences are equally intelligent, capable of accepting, rejecting or negotiating what they see in the media, therefore, critical media debates are healthy.


Fredrick Ogenga is a lecturer in Communication and Media Technology, Maseno University and a visiting scholar in sociology, Boston University, USA.


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