Dear David, Thank you for supporting the baseline review of Media. The purpose of the study is to provide baseline data to improve on our media policy. You must admit that this is the first time in the history of this country that the Government is consulting stakeholders on its intentions to improve the sector. We have involved Media Council from day one. It is the MC that would provide the sectretarial services. It is the Media Council that would recommend names to the task force. It is the Media Council that we are using as a bridge to improve the conditions of journalists in this country. We need an objective study that is done by independent minded Kenyans. It is not prudent however to have current employees of media houses to serve in the task force. Unfortunately, most members of the MC fall in that category. That leaves us with Media Academics,special interest groups, retired media personalities to do the study. There is nothing in our sleeves against media and I think by now you should have known that we are only interested in developing a vibrant Media in this country. The study is important because we feel that there are multiple reasons why Media behaved the way they did. We cannot simply blame Tribalism. We have all gone to school and know very well know that Journalists were taking bribes. From many studies in media, we can speculate on reasons why they were easily bribed as mainly poor pay. Bribes cloud objectivity and eventually what we see is nothing but incitement. There are more other factors that we need the task force to establish. We have sent the TOR for the study to MC and I think it is upon them now to consult the wider stakeholder before we move forward. It is our responsibility to ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes we have made again. From the policy perspective, the study is a must if we have to address the problems in the Media. We need to make informed decisions. Bitange Ndemo.
Dear colleagues,
Having followed the debate on the media audit, I'm convinced there is consensus that it's important that we review how the media handled the elections, before, during and after. That is perfectly in order. What's alarming is the insistence that the government should do it, whereas there is an organisation, the Media Council, whose mandate includes checking how the media operates with a view to protect the%2
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