WHICH KENYA JOURNALISTS CAN TELL OFF POLITIUCIANS WHO PREACHES HATE SPEECH?
By Chak Rachar

As Kenyans are readying themselves for general elections come next year we need to look at the root cause of the problems which led to Post Elections Violence after the 2007 elections.

One of the key reasons why the violence escalate was the pre-analysis and predictions of the said results yet voting had never taken place by some of the Kenya media.

Of utmost concern was the “purported investigations” into how there were plots top rig the said elections investigation, these not only led to anxiety but made many to “brace themselves for the worst”

Its lamentable that a journalist is among the six who re presently facing various charges awaiting confirmation at the Hague in regard to the role he played in “inciting “members of one community against the other.

Which leads to the question; was there a hate media during the pre and post elections in Kenya and what is hate media and what is its origin?

The first known example of the “hate radio” dates back to 1926 when a Canadian Roman Catholic Priest Charles Coughlin (often called the father of hate radio) started weekly anti-Semitic broadcasts on a CBS network station in the USA.

But lets begin by defining what is a “hate media”, its defined as encouraging violent activities ,tension or hatred between races, ethnic or social groups, or countries for political goals /or to foster conflict by offering one-sided and biased views and opinions and resorting to deception .

People have always condemned others-Jews, blacks, Christians, pagans, heretics, political critics and criminals, saints and scientists, everybody.

But does a hate medium thrive without it being broadcast? Broadcasting has added a much more serious dimension to the problem-radio and television represent the main sources of news for most people and a key means to influence them, in negative or positive ways.

In countries or continents (Kenya and Africa included) where most of the population is illiterate and poor ,the power of radio is particularly important and its potential and benefits greatest as witnessed during the last general elections where nearly all the Kenya sub tribes where tuning to their respective ethnic radio stations.

In recent years ,the media outlets in certain countries have actively contributed to the worsening of existing tensions between and within countries by whipping up nationalistic feelings and or ethnic hatred,eg in Rwanda …”it should be stressed that people must bring matchettes,a spear ,an arrow ,a hoe,spades,rakes,nails,truncheons..Barbed wire, stones …and the like, in order, dear listeners to kill the Rwandan Tutsis” that was a Rwandese ethnic radio station calling on the Hutus to kill the Tutsis.

Presently in Kenya a Nairobi Court has ruled that Former Assistant Minister and Kuria Member of Parliament Wilfred Machage, his Mt.Elgon Counterpart Fred Kapondi and Christine Nyaguthi Miller the Widow of former Chief Justice Cecil Miller have a case to answer in regard to an alleged hate speech.

The trio will now have to defend themselves this coming November 9th, but can opt to remain silent and wait for the final determination of the case.

But what are the common outcomes of the hate speech? For one it creates an environment of hate and prejudice that legitimizes violence against its targets,hence when Machage made four Kiswahili statements targeting the Maasai,Kikuyu and the Luo , while Kapondi allegedly threatened that communities in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma would be kicked out ,it meant that they wanted violence and terror reigned on the said tribes.

We should note that the presence of hate speech in the media creates a climate that makes it impossible to have reasonable policy discussions on issues and cultivates a climate that condones violence against targeted groups.

Its lamentable without calling names that some media gain much of their profit and power by arousing the emotions of anger, ridicule and disdain in audiences and voters resulting to hate becoming a commodity.

Journalists should be aware that hate speech users usually use false facts which consists of incorrect, exaggerated,or de-contextualized facts or flawed argumentation which is rooted in hidden assumptions ,guilt by association and appeal to fear to the intended recipients.

When Kenya politicians will be using divisive language, they create or encourage an “us” vs. “them” mentality; I am of the view that they should be ignored.

Lastly, we as Kenya Journalists (me included) we should challenge all kinds of hate speech, should the speech be broadcast or reported an alternative view must be reported immediately, we should have the facts ready.

Also, we should put hate speech in the proper context, as an offensive, dangerous and a potential crime against humanity.

In case metaphors / proverbs are used i.e. Zimbabwe –“harvesting the weeds”, Kenya-“madoadoa”,Rwanda-“Kill the Cockroaches”, Nigeria “Termites, Uganda “Jiggers” and “ a very fruitful Christmas”? And Burundi “Dogs” journalists and presenters should this time deal with such metaphors and proverbs immediately, by asking the speaker for clarity, in straight forward terms by asking the said speaker what he meant by the said metaphor or who is he/she referring to, this will force the said speakers onto the defensive and makes them bear responsibility for what they will be saying.

And will any Kenya journalist be ready to interrupt the speaker or cut the program me?

How many presenters will distance their respective radio or tv stations from any threat any guests will make on air? I will and I can if the opportunity will present itself.

ENDS

Chak Rachar is a Kenya based Freelance Journalist whose specialty is analysis on topical issues touching on the daily happenings in the society.