Eating Their Own, Kenyan Journalists Killing Journalism

Hundreds of journalists took to the streets in Kenya to protest against what they call continuous harassment, attacks, threats and free expression as enshrined in the constitution that was signed in 2010. Journalists accuse the police, politicians and governments for their harassments. “Journalism is a profession and not a crime, we should be allowed to do our job without threats” said George Otieno, a reporter with Baraka Fm, Mombasa.

When other journalists dare to hold street protests to demand respect for freedom of expression, the lazy ones sneak into politicians and enemy’s beds without editorial foreplay. They go against the ethics code and set regulations of the profession to fill their stomachs. Journalists should play a watchdog role for the society but professionals who brave themselves to uncover truths like Jicho Pevu’s Mohamed Ali and investigative reporter John Allan Namu have been never appreciated but treated as enemies of the state.
Responsible journalism is key but what really is responsible journalism? Members of the fourth estate may debate what constitutes responsible journalism. Truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality and accountability are some of the most common core principles and values that should outline the craft of journalism.

Responsible journalism is key but what really is responsible journalism? Members of the fourth estate may debate what constitutes responsible journalism. Truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality and accountability are some of the most common core principles and values that should outline the craft of journalism.
The same is not really the case among the practitioners of the profession in Kenya. Early this year it was widely misreported that African nations had agreed to pull out of ICC. The truth was that they were to go back to their respective countries and study the Kenyan proposal before making a decision.

Misreporting is rampant with reporters and media houses more focused on profit maximization. It is in Kenya where you have journalists a signed to specific political divides.
Citizen Tv’s Jacque Maribe majorly covers and reports jubilee events and stories, in fact there are rumours her son was sired by a prominent Jubilee politician. The talented reporter –cum- anchor has been accused of killing Cord stories covering Jubilee. Francis Gachuri from the same station whose piece was used by the defense in ICC cases at the Hague is one of the journalists in bed with politicians. Gachuri is an ethno-political chauvinist who reports all sorts of garbage after receiving a three bed roomed house gift from DP William Ruto.

Citizen Tv’s Jacque Maribe majorly covers and reports jubilee events and stories, in fact there are rumours her son was sired by a prominent Jubilee politician. The talented reporter –cum- anchor has been accused of killing Cord stories covering Jubilee. Francis Gachuri from the same station whose piece was used by the defense in ICC cases at the Hague is one of the journalists in bed with politicians. Gachuri is an ethno-political chauvinist who reports all sorts of garbage after receiving a three bed roomed house gift from DP William Ruto.

Former citizen Tv reporter Kendagor Obadiah, who covered Cord/ ODM like everyday is now said to be planning to get into politics. Commentators will be waiting to see the party and the seat he will be going for. It is not only journalists like the above mentioned and the likes of Jeff Koinange who lean on their ‘suitable’ political divides, Media moguls have endorsed presidential candidates in this country. Royal Media Services chairman SK Macharia supported Cord coalition in the last elections and almost fainted when Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner.

Former citizen Tv reporter Kendagor Obadiah, who covered Cord/ ODM like everyday is now said to be planning to get into politics. Commentators will be waiting to see the party and the seat he will be going for. It is not only journalists like the above mentioned and the likes of Jeff Koinange who lean on their ‘suitable’ political divides, Media moguls have endorsed presidential candidates in this country. Royal Media Services chairman SK Macharia supported Cord coalition in the last elections and almost fainted when Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner.

Star’s Oliver Mathenge is a known Statehouse errand boy and a propagandist clothed as a communication consultant to many Jubilee leaders including Sakaja and the Party’s script twist master. He recently confessed How love for Jubilee and announced that he would be vying for an elective post on a Jubilee ticket. He’s How bootlicking the NYS Grand Theft architect Ann Waiguru for the Kirinyaga seat. The scheme of Oliver and these political journalists is to be owned by the political affiliation with fattest wallets so as to control and push their agendas on the media. Here’s the cartel that we’re soon exposing in details.

How do you achieve responsible journalism in an environment like this where media owners endorse politicians to have ‘favourable’ environment for their businesses, reporters and editors depend on payolas to find angle for their stories. Some media houses like Mediamax are owned by high profile politicians in power. Broke media houses stoop below ethics to get government advertisements and lay off workers who cover stories that put the government and big cooperate organizations like safaricom in bad light.