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.