DAILY NATION ON HIRE: SHAME OF KENYAN JOURNALISTS... The Nation Media Group has for the last few days been running a story line of how a website calling itself “garreonline” is allegedly fuelling the clan clashes in Northern Kenya. From its print media; the Daily Nation to its television wing; the Nation TV, the nation media group carried out the story in a systematic and choreographed manner. They ensured that every story about the ongoing clan conflicts in Moyale between the Borana and the Gabra communities had a section that covered this “secessionist website” notwithstanding its relevance to the story. Their sustained concoction of the “Secessionist website” story and the clashes in Moyale confused many readers and viewers that it was indeed the Garre and the Borana who were fighting in Moyale, something that is factually inaccurate. At one time during an interview with the Nation TV station, Inspector General David Kimaiyo mentioned that the fighting in Moyale was between the Garre and the Borana. While it’s perfectly in order for any right thinking Kenyan to unequivocally denounce the activities of this website, it is highly irresponsible on the part of the Nation Media Group to drag an entire community to the alleged “secessionist website”. The timing and manner in which the story was carried is suspect. Why will the story of a website that has been in existence for close to a decade is “unearthed” today? Why didn’t other mainstream media in country failed to cover this suddenly “BIG” story? Why did they fail to appreciate the simple fact that you can’t blame a criminal activity of an individual to his entire community? Don’t they know anybody can setup a website by the name of their rivals with intention of portraying them negatively? If I setup a website today say; Kikuyuonline and start to “agitate” for the secession of the Central province as a republic of its own, does it mean Kikuyu’s want secession? If it’s true that Kenyan Journalists are merely bought to file news stories, then Nation Media Group is a text book case study! I find their story regarding the “secessionist website” as lacking professionalism. They have treated Kenyans to unresearched and uninformed story. Their coverage of the story is the epitome of unprofessional conduct, of systematic media malice, of corrupt media and of mad propagandist! A close friend confided to me how two weeks ago, a senior editor from the Nation Media Group called him and sought his views on the story. He told me that, the editor wanted to know the consequences of carrying that story. The editor told my good friend that indeed they were paid to cover the story but wanted to know the kind of reaction to expect from the public! What could be worse than a “professional” putting stomach before ethics? The story by my close friend is a stark reminder that ethical journalism is a privilege in this part of the world. It is the exception rather than the rule! Kenyans are truly doomed! From their politicians to their public servants to now the people who were to keep them “informed” all engaged in self interests! The government should be alive to the fact that stories in our print media; especially the Daily Nation is mostly a concoction of lies and propaganda aimed at influencing how the government deals with certain issues! They should never rely on any information from these newspapers! Instead the government should do its own private investigation and gather information for its consumption! Mohamed Ali The Writer is a law student at the University of Nairobi
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:11:28 +0000