from otieno sungu

I wish to share my personal assessment of the standards of interviews by our media houses, especially the ones that touch on contemporary and topical issues, leadership and politics in general.

One media house leads the way through its very balanced approach. I must say that having watched most of these so called interrogation on issues, The Citizen’s Breakfast Show comes out as one that is fairly objective, balanced and the interviewers, both Jimmy Gathu and Henry Mutegi try to keep their political affiliations out of the show.

I must commend this level of journalism; it is this kind of level heads that will transform both our politics and journalistic standards. While we appreciate that even journalist have their affiliations, overtly, overly and shamelessly practicing the same is definitely a big no for any journalist worth his/her salt.

A lot of crap goes on in a number of other stations that I will not mention here that is passed for interrogation, one particular station relishes in leading gullible politicians into personal attacks on rivals, dragging names of opponents into the whole mix and just coming short of incitement, by the end of it all, an interview that would have been a promising platform to gauge such a leader ends up a sorry state of personalized engagement devoid of any issues.

These are the type that led to genocide in Rwanda;perhaps back home some are not far from this kind of practice if the ICC proceedings are anything to go by.

We must be very vigilant and alert to such kind of pedestrian ‘journalistic practices” that can lead to polarization.

Kudos Royal Media House for this kind of high standards, you must not think even for a moment that Kenyans do not appreciate your good work; you are actually leading the way where some are busy muddying the political waters for narrow tribal, sectarian or economic interests.

A county’s democracy is as good as its institutions, its media, its civil society and its citizenry.

We seek to stay with issues in the pursuit of good leadership, we seek to stay with issues in pursuit of good governance and we seek to stay united in all these processes.

Otieno Sungu.
Chairperson,

Vugu Vugu Mashinani.
Staying with the Issues!!!
0729294743.