BTW, Kenya is bound by the DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN AFRICA; African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights Adopted in Banjul, The Gambia, 23rd October 2002. ( Copy available ) --except-- III: Diversity Freedom of expression imposes an obligation on the authorities to take positive measures to promote diversity, which include among other things:- * availability and promotion of a range of information and ideas to the public; * pluralistic access to the media and other means of communication, including by vulnerable or * marginalised groups, such as women, children and refugees, as well as linguistic and cultural groups; * the promotion and protection of African voices, including through media in local languages; and * the promotion of the use of local languages in public affairs, including in the courts. --ends-- Alex --- wainaina.mungai@gmail.com wrote:
We cannot and should not deny that we are different people. We are Luhya, Luo, Kikuyu and Kalenjin, Kamba, Kisii, MijiKenda etc. That is the reality and it is a Good Thing. I am a Kikuyu by descent yet I enjoy some Luo tunes and some lyrics. There are however cultural differences that have been played-up in a way that divides us. That's where the problem lies; not in language.
Programming in vernacular "connects" better with majority of Kenyans in rural areas and many in urban areas. The need for the such identity can be seen in Kenyans when they are stuck in the Diaspora....where they crave for anything Kenyans (be it in Swahili, Sheng' or vernacular). So ethnic identity is not necessarily a bad thing. It has simply been abused.
So what is the way forward? All media houses in Kenya should be "tamed" in some way or other. because we have seen misconduct among our English-based FM stations and Newspapers.
- One way would have been the Media Council. We need to strengthen the Media Act and related laws to protect Kenyans.
- I would support the retention of vernacular FM stations because they can be turned into tools for enhancing an appreciation for our diversity as one nation.
Regards, Wainaina
On 1/11/08, Dan Njiriri <njiris2000@yahoo.com> wrote:
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