An Assessment of the Kenyan Journalism Training and Gaps Filled by Other Professionals: A Study of Selected Fm Radio Stations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/jcomm.126Keywords:
journalism, gaps, training, other professionalsAbstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine whether gaps exist in the Kenyan journalism training thatare now filled by other professionals.
Materials and methods: The three study sites were local FM radio stations - Radio Citizen, Radio Jambo, and Radio Maisha. Using a 2014 Media Council of Kenya study of radio talk shows in Kenya as a background,the thesis placed more emphasis on the radio presenters and their content. The study applied Social Responsibility Theory which posits that media should be more responsible and accountable to the society. The study employed a descriptive survey using qualitative and quantitative approaches. In this study, four presenters, two key personnel from the Media Council of Kenya were interviewed. as well as a sample of their radio talk show content.
Results: The media council of Kenya lacked the capacity to ensure that only trained radio broadcast journalists were hired by media houses. In addition, despite MCK having developed a curriculum for middle level journalism training institutions, its impact in standardising training had been negligible.
Recommendations: The study recommended improvement of the journalism curriculum as well as embracing of the MCK curriculum by middle level colleges.
Key words: journalism, gaps, training, other professionals
Downloads
References
ACMA (2011).Commercial Radio Australia: Codes of Practice and Guidelines.Australia Communication and Media Authority. Retrieved on April 27, 2016 from http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/aba/contentreg/codes/radio/ documents/commercial_radio-codes_and_guidelines_5sept2011.pdf
AL-Ahmed, M. S.(1987). Mass media and society: The six Normative Theories and the role of Social, Political and Economic forces in shaping Media Institutions and Content: Saudi Arabia - a Case Study.University of Leicester.
Article 19.(2003). Broadcasting Policy and Practice in Africa.Retrieved fromAfrica-broadcasting– policy-pdf
Avilé, J. G. (2010). Journalism 2010: Maintaining Professionalism, Regaining Credibility. Vienna, March 18Th – 20Th 2010 Conference. Retrieved from journalism2020.net/abstracts/
Baran S. J. & Davis, D. K. (2015).Mass Communication Theory: Foundations, Ferment, and Future, (7thed.). Retrieved fromhttp://books.google.co.ke/books?id=sMYTCgAAQBAJ
BBC, WST (2006). Research Summary Report.African Media Development Initiative(AMDI), p. 39. Retrieved from http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/world service/trust/pdf/AMDI/summary/amdi_summary_full_report.pdf
Berger, G. (2009a, June 4, ). Does journalism training make sense? And if yes, when, where and why? Some African experiences.(Symposium Paper). Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum, Bonn.
Berger, G. (2009b). How to improve standards of journalism education.African Communication Research, 2 (2) Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), (2015).The programming code for free-to-air radio and television services in Kenya. Retrieved on May 6, 2016 from www.mcsk.or.ke/…/downloads? ...kenya-programming-code-for-free...ai..
Campbell, A. J. (1999). Self-regulation and Media.Maurer School of Law.Indiana University.Federal Communications Law Journal, 51(3), Article 111
Churchill. (n.d.).About Daniel Ndambuki aka Churchill. Retrieved June 17, 2016, from Churchill: http://www.churchill.co.ke/biography.html
Codeiro, P. (2012). Radio becoming r@dio: Convergence, interactivity and broadcasting trends in perspective. Participations Journal of Audience & Reception Studies.9(1) 2.
Couldry, N. (2004). ‘Theorizing media aspractice.’Social Semiotics,14(2), 115-132
Dean, J. (2005). Chapter 10: Media&Glocal Change in Rethinking Communication for Development. Oscar Hemer& Thomas Tufte (Eds). Retrieved fromhttp://biblioteca.clacso.edu.ar/clacso/coediciones20100824061923/glocal.pdf
Flengers, S. & Russ-Mohl, S. (2008). The Crumpling Hidden Wall: towards an Economic Theory of Journalism.Kyklos,61(4), 520-542
Fengler, S. (2012).From Media Self-Regulation to “Crowd Criticism”: Media Accountability in the Digital Age. Dortmund University of Technology,
Githaiga, G., Minnie, J. & Bussiek, H. (2011).Kenya: A Survey by the Africa Governance and Advocacy Project. (AfriMap), Open Society Foundations.
Glearson, T. W. (2009). Saving journalism from itself (and from US): The Hutchins Commission was right then, so what about now? London: Routledge.
Gondwe, G. (2014). Reclaiming Media Credibility: Examining the Efficacy of Virtue Ethics in the Zambian Media - A Case Study of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (Znbc) and the Post Newspaper.(Master’s thesis).School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon.
Hardy, J. (2008). Western Media Systems. New York: Taylor & Francis e-Library. Retrieved May 13, 2015, from http://samples.sainsburysebooks.co.uk/
_sample_521607.pdf
Howard, R. & Rolt, F. (2005).Radio Talk shows for Peace Building: A Guide. (2nd ed.). Search for Common Ground. Retrieved on March 5, 2015, from www.sfcg.org
Howard, S. (2009). Community Radio and Ethnic Violence in Africa: The Case of Kenya.(Master’s dissertation).School of Development Studies of University of East Anglia.
IREX Media Sustainability Index (2009).USAID (p. 180). Retrieved from http://www.irex.org/system/files/03-Africa_09_Kenya.pdf
Ismail &Deane, J. (2008). ‘The 2007 General Election in Kenya and its Aftermath: The Role of Local Language Media’. The International Journal of Press/ Politics, (13),319-327.
EthicNet (2016).Journalists Ethics code. Retrieved November 5, 2016, from http://ethicnet.uta.fi/belarus/journalists_ethics_code
Kodi, M. W. (2005). Media and Good governance.(Chapter four). UNESCO Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001463/146311e.pdf
Kombo, D. K. & Tromp, D. L. A. (2006).Proposal and thesis writing:An introduction. Paulines Publications Africa. Nairobi, Kenya.
Mabonga, K. (September, 24, 2014).Media Council to train Machakos Journalists.
Retrieved on April 6, 2015 from http://www.mediacouncil.or.ke/en/mck/index.php/news/143-media-council-to-train-machakos-journalists
Macfarian, A. (2015). Consistent Data Collection and Recording.RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Masaviru, M. (2015).Review of the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya; Second Schedule of the Media Act 2007. New Media and Mass Communication.(Vol. 42). p. 23.
Maweu, J. M. (2014). A clash between journalistic and capitalistic values? How advertisers meddle in journalists’ decisions at Nation Media Group in Kenya. Journal of African Media Studies (Impact Radio Stations Factor: 0.29). 01/2014; 6(1) DOI:10.1386/JAMS.6.1.27
Mbaria, R. N. (2003). Factors influencing the choice of a product/service: a case of radio audience in Nairobi. Kenyatta University, Kenya. (Dissertation abstract).
Mbeke, P.O. (2008). The media, legal, regulatory and policy environment in Kenya: a historical briefing.Commissioned by BBC World Service Trust.
Mbeke, P. O.; Okello-Orlale, R. &Ugangu, W. (2010).The Media We Want: The Kenya Media Vulnerability Study. Nairobi: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).
Media Council of Kenya, (n.d.).Media Literacy. Retrieved on October20th , 2016 from http://www.mediacouncil.or.ke/en/mck/index.php/programs/media-literacy
Media Council of Kenya.(2013a). Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya.Retrieved from www.mediacouncil.or.ke/.../mck/.../code-of-conduct-for-the-practice-of-
Media Council of Kenya.(2013b).Communication Training Kenyan journalists on election reporting (Machakos). Retrieved on October 15, 2014, from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/-and-information/resources/news-and-in-focusarticles/al-lnews/news/training_kenyan_journalists_on_election_reporting/#.VEoziyKUdFs
Media Council of Kenya.(2013c).Training and Welfare of Kenyan Journalists.
Retrieved fromwww.mediacouncil.or.ke/…/training_and_welfare_of_ kenyan_journalists
Meso, I. & Akello, I. (2014, May 22).‘85pc of Kenyans unhappy with radio talk show hosts’.Standard Digital News. Retrieved from www.standardmedia.co.ke/ mobile/?article
Middleton, M. (March, 2009). Social Responsibility in the media. Centre for International Media Ethics, CIME. Oxford University, PCMLP.
Minderhoud, A. M. (2009). Africa’s private radio stations: the next best thing for African democracy?(Dissertation). Retrieved on October 11, 2014, from http//annemiekeminderhoud.wordpress.com
Muchiri, M. (2016, January 8,). No more salvation on TV, Pastors told.Retrieved on April 29, 2016 from www.kenyans.co.ke/news/no-more-salvation-on-tv-pastors-told.
Mugenda, O & Mugenda, A .(1999). Research Methods. Acts Press Nairobi.
Mugenda, O &Mugenda, A .(2003). Research Methods. Acts Press Nairobi.
Mukuna, I.T. (2005). Ethics in broadcast Journalism: Analysis of FM Radio Stations in Kenya. (Abstract). School of Journalism, University of Nairobi Repository.
Mungai, N. (2015, January 23). Radio Maisha beats over 20 radio stations to become one of the most listened to in Kenya. Standard Digital News.
Musau, P.M. (1999). The liberalization of the mass media in Africa and its impact on indigenous languages: the case of Kiswahili in Kenya. Retrieved November 11, 2014, from www.quosa.de/.../6_10_musau.pdf
Mutula, M. S. (2012). Ethical and moral aspects of social media: implications for subSaharanAfrica.Information Studies Programme, Academic Leader, Development University of KwaZulu-Natal.Presented at SCECSAL XXth Conference hosted by KLA on 4th-8th June 2012 at Laico Regency Hotel Nairobi, Kenya.
Mwesiga, P. G. (2009). The democratic functions and dysfunctions of political talk radio: the case of Uganda. Intellect: Journal of African Media Studies, 1(2).
Myers, M. (2008).Radio and Development in Africa.(A Concept Paper).Prepared for the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada.
Namasaka, M. (2012).Role of Vernacular FM stations in National Cohesion and Integration in Kenya.University of Nairobi. Retrieved from https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/61297/1/MPRA_paper_61297.pdf
Nassanga, L. G. (2008). Journalism ethics and the emerging new media culture of radio talk shows and public debates (Ekimeeza) in Uganda.Journalism – Sage Publications,9(5): 646–663 DOI: 10.1177/1464884908094163
(n.d.).Politics and Interactive Media Arts (PIMA).Centre for Governance and Human Rights.University of Cambridge.
Nerone, J. (1995). ‘Social Responsibility Theory’, in Last Rights: Revisiting Four Theories of the Press, Urbana: University of Illinois (pp. 79-81
Ng’ang’a, N. M. (August 11,2016). The Media Scene in Kenya.In-house Kenya. Retrieved July 5, 2016 from http://musicinafrica.net/media-scene-kenya
Nyabuga, G. & Booker, N. (2013,February5). Mapping Digital Media: Kenya.A Report by the Open Society Foundations.Retrieved August 29, 2014, from Mappingdigital-media-kenya-20130321_3.pdf.
Nyabuga, G. (2015). It’s the money, stupid! Grappling with Media Hyper-commercialization in Kenya. In W. Ugangu, M. Mackochieng, G. Nyabuga, & C. Peel (Eds,), Exploring Media Policy Landscape:1963-2013 (pp. 45-65).
Nyamnjoh, F.B. (1999). West Africa: Unprofessional and Unethical Journalism. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Retrieved December 30, 2014, from www.fes.de/fulltext/iez/00710a01.html
Ochieng, A. (2014, May 22,). Media Council of Kenya: 85% of Kenyan radio talk show hosts lack journalism training.Daily Nation.
Ochieng, R. K., Gachoka, T. &Mureithi, C. (2014).Ethical Journalism: the case of the adherence to the Code of Conduct in the Kenyan Media.Retrievedfrom www.academia.edu/.../
Odhiambo, C. J. (2007). Reading FM Radio Stations in Kenya in Cultural Production and Social Change in Kenya.Njogu, K.&Oluoch-Olunya, G. (Eds.). Nairobi: Twaweza Communications.
Omwoha, J. R. N. (2014). Talk Radio and The Public Sphere: Jambo Kenya’s Role in Democratization.(PhD Thesis).University of the Witwatersrand.Johannesburg.
Onyango, E. (2015,May 6). Top Radio Stations, Tanzania and Kenya. Retrieved from blog.geopoll.com/top-radio-stations-tanzania-kenya-may-2015
Oriare, P. O. (2008). Background Note The Media, Legal, Regulatory and Policy Environment in Kenya: A Historical Briefing. University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Oriare, P.; Okello-Orlale, R.&Ugangu, W. (2010).The Media We Want: The Kenya Media Vulnerabilities Study.Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).
Shoemaker, P.J. & Reese, S. D. (1996).Mediating the Message: Theories of Influences on Mass Media Content.(2nd Ed).Longman Publishers, USA:New York.
Simiyu, T. F. (2014). Media Ownership and the Coverage of the 2013 General Elections in Kenya: Democracy at Crossroads. Global Media Journal,
Situma, S. K.&Ndeta, J. H. (2010). Nurturing Nationhood through Peace Media: Analysing Peace related Programming in Community Radio Stations.Peace and Development Network Trust (PeaceNet Kenya).
Smith J. A. & Osborn, M. (2007).Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.British Journal of Pain: Sage9(1): 41–42.
Synovate/ Ipsos (2015,January).Radio Maisha beats over 20 radio stations to become one of the most listened radio stations in Kenya. Retrieved February 3, 2015 fromhttp://www.mashada.com/blogs/p/157225/9-most-popular-radio-stations-in-kenya-according-to-ipsos-2015
Tomaselli, K. W. G. (2003). ‘Our Culture’ vs. ‘Foreign Culture’: An Essay on Ontological and Professional Issues in Africa Journalism. International Communication Gazette(65) p. 427.Sage Publications.
Training Kenyan journalists on election reporting.Workshop held in Machakos and
Nakuru between 25 and 28 January 2013.Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-andinformation/resources/ news-and-in-focus-articles/all-
Tuckett, A. (2004). Qualitative research sampling-the very real complexities.Nurse Researcher. 12(1) 47-61.
UNESCO, (2014). Sustainability and professionalism of journalism is part of development. World Press Freedom Day 2014. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/
Wafula, N. D. (2005). Kenya Broadcasting Corporation in a Liberalized Market Economy: The Need for a New Model for PublicService Broadcasting.(M. A. Thesis).University of Nairobi, School of Journalism.
Wanyama, O. (2009). The Media Kenya Wants: Professionalism and Media Ethics, a brief. Retrieved fromwww.iiste.org/journal/index.php/NMMC/article/ download/.../27258
Wanyama, L.L. (2015). Media Control in Kenya: The State of Broadcasting under theNew Kenya Information and Communication Act of 2013. New Media and Mass Communication, (Paper), Vol. 33.
Ward, S. (2008). Global Journalism Ethics: Widening the Conceptual Base. Global Media Journal Canadian Edition 1(1), 137-149.
Wefwafwa J. A. (2014). An Evaluation of Training Standards in Kenyan Media Colleges: A Case Study of Public and Private Middle Level Media Training
Colleges in Nairobi.IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 19, (2), 68 – 83.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2017 Margaret Ayuma Okumbe, Prof. Clayton Peel, Nancy Adagala, Prof.Rosemary Kowuor, Prof. Levi Obonyo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
