Kenyan Pundit

I’ve been too busy “nikijienjoy”this holiday season (and lazy) to blog, hopefully my brain will begin functioning sometime soon. I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and wish y’all a prosperous new year. In the meantime, some cool geek stuff I’ve come across recently.

- Alexa: Think of it as a Google on steroids.

- Talkdigger: kinda like Technorati.

- Slingbox: basically cable TV to go.

- Use firefox and blog? Check this out.

- Discover new music.

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Spurred on by more comments…

I’d like to start be revisiting a line in Gukira’s post that inspired Pt. I: “We have long complained that the Western press presents “rubbish stories,” indifferent to “real issues.” Is the Kenyan press no less complicit?” It’s been interesting to see some of the comments citing the same reasons that mainstream Western media houses raise when challenged about their poor/biased/stereotypical coverage of Africa i.e. our readers are not interested/don’t care/that sophisticated, we have a business to run, this doesn’t sell, we don’t have the resources to cover Africa “well” etc. If we easily “pooh-pooh” (yeah, I just wrote that) these excuses when they are put on the table by CNN, Reuters, NY Times etc., we should also be reluctant to accept the same excuses when it comes to African journalism. I’m not saying that they are not valid challenges and that running a paper is easy (hell what do I know), just that we shouldn’t accept complacency and mediocrity so easily.

Then there’s the issue of what the mwananchi wants to read…

In Acolyte’s view: When you say that you want to read hard hitting journalism with a social agenda you are not speaking for the common man but an educated elite. The newspapers try to cater for the lowest common denominator the mwanainchi and the people have voted with their pockets that they like what they are being served. Mymmoh adds: “I have to point out that I think the general Kenyan audience is not ready for “good journalism”. Kenyans prefer random excitement. Sensationalism and not really fact.”

I would challenge both these statements given that they are coming from the educated elite Not sure that any of us are well-placed to speak on what the “common” Kenyan wants to see in a paper…but here’s my two cents anyway Yes, people (not just mwananchi) don’t want to read “dry” papers…there should be a balance between “hard news” and other stuff…all papers have that. And yes, there is an interest in sensationalist stuff…that’s why you have tabloids (and if they were that popular they would be more than the rag-tag affairs that they are). But there is also, I think, a deep need for information and “good journalism”…that’s why when the Daily Nation and Standard sell out it’s usually because of some great investigative journalism or really good reporting on an issue that resonates with people. I’ve traveled a lot and I don’t think I’ve ever come across a country like Kenya where papers are read voraciously…there’s literally a compe in the office, in the house, at the school library, in the matatu (where the guy next to you will almost stop you from turning the page because he hasn’t finished reading a storo) etc. for the paper. I think if more people could afford to spend Kshs 35 on a paper everyday, readership would be higher (that’s a whole other issue). I don’t see the same thing going on with more sensationalist papers.

Moving on…

What would I like to see? Exactly what Gukira suggests: Think Jua-Kali. Instead of a full-blown paper, how about a weekly or fortnightly zine? Short, very short–20-25 pages. Perhaps two to three “article” length piece, but then a lot of occasional writing–100-150 word pieces that “report” on specific locations, constituencies, initiatives, that draws from a wide pool of writers. “the people. He adds: zines! zines! zines! I know I seem obsessed. But I keep thinking about taking school magazines as a model for how to think about networks of locally-driven, relatively inexpensive zines, fortnightly or monthly, that could speak to local concerns, while also achieving some sort of national forum. I think Aco is right on “official” reporters. But what about the power of unofficial reporting. Biased, true. Partial, true. Perhaps inflamatory. But also, at times, a spur to action (at least in my ideal world). Think about how small zines could actually begin to develop civic responsibility in local high school populations, offer chances for small workshops from established reporters and journalists. Did I mention that international foundations, especially those dedicated to democratic causes, would absolutely leap at the idea of a people’s press? I know we have issues with accepting international funding, but it could be one way. Locally-run, high-school and radio-based zines. Short pieces. I think very jua kali.

I LOVE this idea…particularly the part about using local high schools (did your high school have an “informal” paper…mine did and there was a lot of talent reflected there…until the administration shut it down) and perhaps journalism students who want to gain some experience. Maybe a newsie Kwani? I think if internet access was not an issue both in terms of publishing and readership, blogging could be one way to harness the power of unofficial reporting. Since we don’t have this option “zines” would be the next best thing…only problem is that is so hard/frustrating to get Kenyans involved in anything that requires a bit of volunteerism, that doesn’t reflect an immediate personal gain, that is perceived to involve “idealism” etc…trust me, I’ve tried.

And ideally beyond the Jua Kali, a Kenyan version of this (The East African comes kinda close).

OK, I think I’ve exhausted this topic for now, no?

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Some more interesting / thought-provoking stuff from the comments section.. .my response to some of the issues raised is in bold.

Acolyte: Speak of the devil. Starting a paper may not be hard but keeping it running will be hard,the advertising pie in kenya is not all that large.

Kenyan Pundit:True.

Acolyte:Let me ask what do you define as a well written story on politics?

Kenyan Pundit: Something that’s more than a compilation of random facts…and more of an attempt to piece things together. I would like to see more stories that have an investigative or scoop aspect along these lines or that attempt to make a connection between the current state of Kenyan politics/government inaction and the conditions that most Kenyans find themselves in like this story does. Or that attempt to move away from the political amnesia that plagues Kenyans, like this one does.

Acolyte: Yes I know the press has to move away from the usual he said she said stories. But what else do we want on to be told on the political scene? More of the people’s opinions?

Kenyan Pundit: See above.

Acolyte: Well once in a while there is an opinion piece but the people aren’t the news makers coz many people wouldnt buy a paper to read a story about Wanjiku talking about the constitution but would do so if it was about one of the maverick MPs.When you talk about hard hitting that usually ties in with investigative reporting.And from some of your comments above you can see the challenges that face that kind of reporting.Also there is a limit to how much social activism a newspaper can do that will make it change from a newspaper to some sort of social activism newsletter.

Kenyan Pundit:I’m not looking for social activism, just good reporting…there has to be more than just a recitation of events and facts. Particularly now that the government is not breathing down the neck of the media like it used to. I was talking to someone from Zimbabwe the other day and they were so envious of the fact that the Kenyan press are able to operate relatively freely…journalists in places like Uganda, Ethiopia, and so on are being killed and hounded out of their countries just for trying to report the truth…I think our media is under some obligation to put their hard-won freedom to more than cut and paste stories. Also those journalists who are feeling constrained by the major media houses have alternatives if they are willing to step outside of the box.

Acolyte: There should be a healthy balance in a paper between news reporting and advocacy (of course depending on the papers’ editorial policy . But dont forget that newspapers are a business so as long as the people buy it they will keep churning it out, but that does not mean what they are doing is ok. Anyway I think I may have lost my train of thought time for me to go!

Kenyan Pundit: Thanks for your chemsha bongo! Allow me to quote liberally from this op-ed: “If nothing else, I know what makes a good newspaper. And that something has nothing to do with circulation, profit margins or staff size. Other factors come into play.
For example, good newspapers are unwavering in their commitment to their community, whether that “community” is a national audience, a big city or a small town. They serve as a kind of glue that provides various factions with the same information so that they can unite or divide based on their views. They are linchpins for change, not for their own personal gain or to buck the status quo. Instead, they understand their mission: to use all of their collective talent to make the community a better place…. And good newspapers go a step further. They provide insight into the issues that your family talks about around the dinner table each night. If their stories make you wiser, outraged or even empathetic, the papers are succeeding. You should see your concerns and experiences reflected in many of their pages. That’s a must, because that pattern keeps you loyal. Good newspapers play it straight. And when doubts surface, they explain their actions. But they are neither arrogant nor defensive. Instead, they appreciate a basic truth: that an open door provides transparency and more. It brings in new thinking that enriches the end result….Good newspapers have another quality: They are not formulistic. Instead they take delight in presenting a rich and varied menu each day, including stories that surprise and even amuse. They know that there are few stories unworthy of pursuing. The question becomes how?”

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…we are Kenyans.

By the way, the Daily Nation now has RSS feeds. Hat tip Mental!

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Gukira’s post on the amnesia of Kenyan press is very thought-provoking. He raises a very important question: “We have long complained that the Western press presents “rubbish stories,” indifferent to “real issues.” Is the Kenyan press no less complicit?”

I think the Kenyan press is no less complicit and it is time that they should be taken to task. For instance, why were Kenyans overseas complaining that they were not getting a good sense of things on the ground from the press during the referendum when the Kenyan press had the resources to do more than just an orange-vs-banana story? Why aren’t we reading more honest and well-thought out stories? How can we complain about mediocre coverage by the West when we are doing a pretty abysmal job of telling our stories?

For a long time in Kenya the main challenge facing journalists was censorship and the absence of freedom of the press, yet now that the space for media has opened up there is very little serious or investigative reporting going on. If the Weekly Review could operate at the height of Moi’s paranoia, why can’t we have a credible independent weekly now? A comment by Acolyte points to some of the challenges: “I do agree with all that you are saying.I remember as a communications undergrad learning that one of the roles of the press is to educate and make the people aware. But lest we forget that that comes secondary to the aim of selling as many papers and advertising space as possible.I am sure that you are aware of the average Kenyan’s fascination with politics, they will talk about it day in and day out and most of the time not from an activist view point but from a party,tribal,individual view point. These political battles are Kenya’s version of America’s teen star wars ( no not the epic movie series ). But that of course does not make it ok. As a one time owner of a Kenyan press card you would be surprised how deep in bed many editors and politicians are there are many stories that would break politicians that have never made it to the mainstream media never think that those A4s/gutter press publications are all lies. “

The fact that Kenyans are fascinated with politics may explain the nature of the content that dominates Kenyan newspapers but it really doesn’t explain the quality. In fact, I think the papers would sell more if they did more hard hitting reporting. Remember the Standard expose on “politically correct” people? That edition was sold out.

I think one of the main underlying problems is, as Acolyte points out, corruption within the main newspapers. “Juicy” stories are killed all the time by “credible” journalists. The fact if you want your story to get publicized or if you want media attention you are pretty much limited to two newspapers also makes it necessary for people to try not to “piss off” journalists…I’ve seen this happen. There’s also a fear of defamation lawsuits and our poor track record at protecting whistleblowers. Then there’s the way the major media houses are being run today. Most of them rely on freelance writers to cut on salary costs and there are claims that reputable journalists find themseleves sidelined when they try to challenge the status quo.

Not sure how to get out of this conundrum…anyone want to start (and fund!) a newspaper?

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