The rise of unregulated gutter press is changing our media landscape

The turn of the 21^st century saw a new awakening in Kenya. A new democratic government was ushered in, which in turn allowed an unprecedented freedom of speech. The new found free speech brought with it a vibrant media space- numerous TV/radio stations and a rise in tabloid newspapers.

While the rise of tabloids was not unexpected in our new found free media, few could foresee the number of unregulated gutter press that would emerge in the process. The unregulated press was further fueled by the increase of internet penetration particularly social media –which acts as a clear catalyst for its growth and survival.

Unregulated gutter press is making a significant mark. Thanks to their sensationalized headlines, they are attracting a huge following cutting across social class and it would appear academic achievement. Traditionally, in most parts of the world, gutter press generally attracts the working class and less educated section of society. While it largely rings true here in Kenya, sections of non-traditional clientele (the middle class and higher education holders) are buying into the gutter press market. No one can refute that some of their reports hold some truths, however,  there is no denying that their news stories are poorly researched, poorly written, and beyond the catchy headline, have little else to report on.

The middle class may not be deliberately buying into this market. The authors of gutter press have established an aggressive social media campaign. Most of the news stories are forced down your throat, they are everywhere, every time. To the horror of those who have a strong dislike for them, the brutal truth is that you cannot avoid them-you find them on your feeds, they jump on your page if your facebook friends click the like button. They just won’t go away. They are like an annoying mosquito buzzing crazily which refuses to go away.

Could the rise of unregulated gutter press be changing our media landscape? Could they be fueling the declining standard of our once somewhat balanced and respected media outlets?  For a while now, Kenya’s mainstream media outlets have become sensationalized.  So much so a section of the public were secretly celebrating the recent digital migration standoff period between the government and some members of the fourth estate citing negative reporting particularly while reporting on the  political arena. While drama and intrigues may appeal to some, most Kenyans are unimpressed. The trend is not unique to TV stations, our major ‘broadsheets’ are sadly adopting a tabloid tone. A while ago, one of the most popular daily (both in readership and distribution) had this headline in the front page “Wanted: White husband, blacks please keep off’ prompting one reader to pose whether the paper’s editors had gone on leave. Clearly, this would have appealed to a tabloid or the gutter press target market. Why did it appear in a major ‘broadsheet’?  

No one is calling for the exclusion of the gutter press, love or loath them, they have a huge market and create much needed jobs in a country struggling with youth unemployment. However, there is clearly a major gap in the market for a serious daily-better still, an elitist broadsheet that will balance the market which is currently struggling under the weight of the gutter press.

Njoki'sviews: Celebrating our Political Class for a job well don...

Njoki'sviews: Celebrating our Political Class for a job well don...: We rarely give credit to our beloved political class. We have become so accustomed to nit-picking the actions of our honorable members t...

Celebrating our Political Class for a job well done

We rarely give credit to our beloved political class. We have become so accustomed to nit-picking the actions of our honorable members that we no longer pause and appreciate their good deeds.

In the wake of the 2013 general election, we went in an unwarranted rampage against our cherished members of parliamnet after they decided to increase their perks and showed a lot reservation in paying taxes.  How could an already overpaid lot (some of the best paid in both the developing and developed world) unanimously pass a legislation to increase their salaries in a country where a section of the population struggles to put food on the table?-we pondered. But of course they were justified- they were quick to inform us- their clueless commoners. What with such a demanding electorate that lay claim to their salaries by demanding their hard earned cash with the excuse of offsetting hospital bills for  their sick relatives and the tired story of taking  their poor children to school.

First forward to 2015 and we are expressing some sort of outrage that a section of the legislature is embroiled in graft. We appeared mortified to learn that the arm of government tasked with keeping graft at bay and keeping the executive on toes has been caught red handed with their fingers in the candy jar. Of course our outrage is outrage is a knee-jerk reaction. If we are really honest with ourselves, the clear obsession of some parliamentarians to scrutinize nearly all key flagship projects (even the ones which appeared beyond reproach) among them the Standard Gauge Railway should have been a clear pointer that not all was well with our legislature.

But enough with the whining. Our political class really does deserve some credit this time round. Late last year and as recent as last week, we have witnessed blows being exchanged, trousers  ripped apart, necks wringed-and  all captured by glaring cameras, right at the heart  of both the national and county assemblies. Why is this commendable? Admittedly, it was a bit of a shocker, it is not common to see an elite class trading blows in a civilized society. But after the initial shock, we ought to realize or at least hope that the tide is somehow turning. We may now be moving from an era where politicians no longer feel the need settle personal and political goals by inciting the electorate along tribal divide. As it appears, our elites seem to have learnt that their personal and political battles should be settled where they emanate – with themselves!

We should hope that they will can keep trading blows in parliament, perhaps that way, they will have less energy for their tribal tirades which can only mean a more prosperous and peaceful Kenya.

 

Is it time to abolish the death penalty in Kenya?

The death penalty is murder wrapped up in euphemism to appear more palatable to the masses. We merely find it less chilling and somehow acceptable because it is committed by the state, for justice-as we purport. But whichever way we look at it, it is murder.

In the last few weeks, the judiciary has gone on an overdrive in handing down capital punishment to individuals charged with committing some of the most horrific and unimaginable crimes in our society. In one such ruling, a 30 year old man was sentenced to death for killing his four month old step daughter. In a similar case, a 63 year old man was given the death sentence after defiling and killing his daughter in Kiambu. Undeniably, these are horrid crimes deserving the toughest of penalties.

But can we ever really justify the death penalty? What does it achieve? Who is the winner here? For the family of the victims, there may be closure, or perhaps not. After all, it does not bring their loved ones back. We may argue that perpetrators are paying for their crimes and getting what they deserve. But isn’t sending them to the hang man handing them a free and quick pass to the afterlife?  Is this not somehow allowing them to escape from their crimes? A life sentence seems more appropriate- another life is saved while at the same time we give perpetrators the space to live with their actions till their dying day.

Clearly, capital punishment does not act as a deterrent. Human beings, globally, are inherently wicked. Even in countries (such as China, Iran, Iraq, the USA among others) where executions are the norm, heinous crimes continue to be committed.

Kenya has had a coy approach to capital punishment. While the death penalty remained firmly engraved within our laws following the promulgation of a new constitution in 2010, Kenya still remains a de facto abolitionist state. Not a single person has been executed for nearly two decades. The last man was hanged in 1987 following the 1982 failed coup. Quite frankly our country lacks the political will to maintain capital punishment and has even toyed with the idea of abolishing all together. In 2009, the former president Mwai Kibaki, announced that he was commuting the death sentences of an estimated 4,000 people to life imprisonment. But perhaps the most important argument is the fact that capital punishment lacks the people’s will.  We don’t appear to desire it. Kenya prides itself for having one of the most progressive constitutions in the world- why then can’t we just abolish this retrogressive and outdated law?

 

Njoki Mwangi