...
written by Marangu , August 18, 2007

Bw Okong'o:
Thank you for the insights, I guess it makes it more palatable coming from a member of the club. I think the argument is attempts to legislate based on training will sideline many accomplished practioners who still have alot to offer.

Who supports Bill?
written by John Ongeri , August 18, 2007

I find that apart from parliament nobody else speaks in support of this bill. It is a lousy piece of legislation aimed at curtailing press freedom.

The issue of revealing sources goes deep to the heart of quashing investigations of malpractice and serious crimes. If the GOK succeeds here...the clause of revealing witnesses will be spread to many other organisations whether public ot private. At present the KACC states "anonymously" as one of the ways of reporting incidences of corruption. How long will anonymous information be admissible in court prosecutions. This media bill may just be the thin edge...

I hope that I speak for many when I suggest that the author's satement: Most kenyan journalist are a corrupt bunch is completely inaccurate. It is also quite negligent to make such a sweeping statement without offering a single shred of evidence.

Journalism is a profession
written by Man R , August 18, 2007

I disagree with the author, Journalism is a profession.

There is a lot taught in journalism schools that makes it a real respectable profession like any other. In journalism school, I learned skills others who come into field from other areas don't. Examples include using the Freedom of Information Act (FIOA,) to get information from government officials in the U.S., styles and methods of in-depth reporting and investigation, presenting information in an easy-to-consume manner. (In U.S. research shows most readers are have a high school, 12th grade, reading skills and there's no reason using big words.); Ethics; that's a big one, the editing process; technical stuff such as uses of equipment like videos and still cameras; broadcasting, sometimes on location for both radio and TV; learning the use of specialized computer programs like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Quark, etc; and handling the stresses of deadlines 24/7; among many other things.

Let's not just look at journalism from its finished product. The work that goes into the production process is not a joke. (It was worse without the technology)

People may take journalism lightly because it's a profession that easily lends itself to bridging from all other fields, which is actually a good thing.

Anybody can be a "journalist." It doesn't take very long to learn the inverted pyramid style of writing used by most newspapers or learning the features of a camera to take OK photos, but when you become a professional journalist, you're expected to become a jack of all trades-- loosely put-- and a master in the few areas you specialize in such as photography, police or politics beats.

I agree with you (Okong'o) when you say you doesn't need to go to journalism school to become a good journalist, it's true that many great journalists and commentators didn't attend journalism schools, but there are many professions that share the same characteristics, eg, philosophy, sociology and to some extent psychology among others I can't think of now.

Also with journalism you can easily diversify and venture in other fields because the field teaches you how to research and read widely beyond your area of study.

For example a lot of journalists are going to law school after journalism school and later becoming successful journalist-lawyers.

ON GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The government is wrong in its approach to regulate the media. It won't work. This is not a case like the matatu one where makangas were ordered to wear some ridiculous-looking overcoats and everything worked. Corruption in Kenyan journalism is covert and it should be tackled head-on without pretense and under-the-table methods. I believe Kenyan media houses are capable or regulating themselves effectively and solving any underlying problems.

However, the Kenyan media should use the current stalemate with the government to evaluate itself. We must adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward corruption in journalism.

...
written by Marangu , August 18, 2007

Like John above, I take exception to the use of one brush to paint all Kenyan Journalists. I wonder what experiences the writer has had with Kenyan Jounalists to make such a statement.

Almost
written by Hon , August 18, 2007

It maybe a profession, or not...but whatever it is, it needs passion. I believe when one has a passion for something, they do not engage in unethical undertakings!

I also think journalists know that their career includes being roughed by authorities, held hostage in war areas...it is the beast of Journalism.

Man R does not convince me that he has that passion, for he is hand on the technology.

Ed is right, some of the best journalists do not have degrees, and so are the worlds best writers! They are born with it, they do not get it in class! They collect several honorary degrees along the way!

re: Who supports Bill?
written by That Kenyan Loser , August 18, 2007

I hope that I speak for many when I suggest that the author's satement: Most kenyan journalist are a corrupt bunch is completely inaccurate. It is also quite negligent to make such a sweeping statement without offering a single shred of evidence.

Are you serious? Journalists, editors, journalism and political science scholars, citizens, what more do you need?

My statement is not "sweeping" or "blanketing." Didn't I use the word "most?" Didn't I acknowledge that there are some who want change?

re:
written by That Kenyan Loser , August 18, 2007

Like John above, I take exception to the use of one brush to paint all Kenyan Journalists.

Like John above, you missed the point. Where in the article do I write "all Kenyan journalists?" I would be includin myself is I made such a stupid claim.

re: Journalism is a profession
written by That Kenyan Loser , August 18, 2007

There is a lot taught in journalism schools that makes it a real respectable profession like any other. In journalism school, I learned skills others who come into field from other areas don't. Examples include using the Freedom of Information Act (FIOA,) to get information from government officials in the U.S., styles and methods of in-depth reporting and investigation, presenting information in an easy-to-consume manner.

I'm not disputing that,Man R.I'm not saying that you and I learned nothing in J-School. What I'm saying is that I can can teach anyone in my newsroom how to use a computer to do FOIA searches and all the good stuff you've listed above.

Ethics; that's a big one, the editing process; technical stuff such as uses of equipment like videos and still cameras; broadcasting, sometimes on location for both radio and TV; learning the use of specialized computer programs like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Quark, etc...

If you ask me, "Ol' School" journalists did much more for journalism with typewriters than we have with all this technology. Computers are not necessarity good tools.

They have made us lazy. I know reporters who compose a story without leaving their desks. It's a shame.

PS: Good to see you here with intelligent people. Welcome and I hope you left those filthy scumbags behind. (This is the only time I'm gonna use vulgarity here).

What it means
written by Anon , August 20, 2007

What does that controversial clause really mean? , in my opinion it could be taken to refer to people mentioned in a story without their names, but innuendo suggests it to be them for example "a senior official" in the ministry. The clause defines that should an individual find it in his wit to believe that he is in fact the person referred to as such then the journalist will be asked to affirm the same. Now look at the ambiguity of that, how many senior officials are in one ministry and how can a single person prove that he is the one being referred to, and besides that it is not the duty of the person you are suing to help you in proving your case against him. It is similar to how politicians say in a rally, “Watu wengine wanafikiria wameshinda wenzawo" how can one single politician prove that is is him as much as it is out there that he is the person being refered to.So my question is does the clause mean the person who spilt the beans or an aggrieved person who is mentioned in a way to suggest that he is the person involved in a scandal.

re: What it means
written by That Kenyan Loser , August 20, 2007

So my question is does the clause mean the person who spilt the beans or an aggrieved person who is mentioned in a way to suggest that he is the person involved in a scandal.

Our concern is not about someone coming to claim that he/she is the "top official in the ministry" in the corruption story.

It's about a top official going to court seeking to know "who told you that officials in the ministry that I so openly run are eating money meant for roads?"

We want to make sure whistleblowers are protected.

10 good journalists
written by donworry , August 21, 2007

That media bill must be opposed by all right-thinking people. I really do not mind if these MPs are in self-preservation mode but a little common sense will show that it is a double edged sword....What happens honourable member, if you lose your seat? Will you still support a bill that effectively prevents you from learning what is being done on your behalf?

The journalist's lot is not altogether a happy one. I too would like to see some evidence to support the claim that Most (read more than 50%) Kenyan journalists are a corrupt bunch. It is not fair to the remaining clean ones to make such a generalised statement and claim it as fact.

we will, we must prevail
written by Tim Norwood , August 22, 2007

This weekend gone, and for a few months prior, a number of Kenyan young uns have been meeting to create a citizen journalists organisation. KenyaImagine one would say is already such an organisation. Do opinion pieces such as we write here fall under 'journalism', or is the Bill only referring to people who attend Press Conferences?

Now it seems to me that the rest of the world is moving in a direction that allows such sites as OhMyNews and blogs to thrive, demanding accreditation for all journos would kill such initiatives and enforce the lack of democracy that is caused by information and its dissemination being in the control of a select few.

Interestingly, both sides of the aisle are against the public interest on this one ( even Gor Sunguh and Otieno Kajwang are swinging), although Kenyans with their illiberal attitudes are likely against a free Press.