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Professionalism. Esther Kamweru ED, MCK 7 MAY 2009. Requires. Adhere to the agreed code of practice Basic tenets - Accuracy and fairness - Opportunity to reply - Not paying for news and articles. Challenges.
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Professionalism Esther Kamweru ED, MCK 7 MAY 2009
Requires • Adhere to the agreed code of practice • Basic tenets - Accuracy and fairness - Opportunity to reply - Not paying for news and articles
Challenges • There are a number of finer points of journalistic procedure that foster disagreements in principle and variation in practice among journalists especially in the mainstream media.
1. Accuracy • Most of the cases that come to the council are about this… Inaccuracy. • Accuracy is important as a core value and to maintain credibility. • However, audiences are turning towards media outlets that are reporting new information first… radio, mobile phones, television
Accuracy • Different organizations may balance speed and accuracy in different ways. • Break news on mobile phones, radio and television. • Print longer, more detailed, less speculative, and more thoroughly verified pieces the following day. • In the first instance, viewers may switch channels at a moment's notice; the fierce competition to get out first reduces the time to verify information. • This is the challenge.
2. Taste, decency and tone • Yet another common complaint especially from radio audiences. • Complaint that the subjects of conversation of radio talk shows are adult. • That some radio talk shows give psychological advise when they are not qualified to do so.
2. Taste, decency and tone • Complaints also against - Some music shows - Some soap operas
Defences • Give audiences what they want • It is pretensions to complain about sex talk on radio. • That the shows are entertainment and audiences are discerning enough to know this. • That they educate
Suggested remedy • Watershed hour where adult material is transmitted at certain times only. • Train the talk show hosts involves • Legislation ( No 1 above) .
Lack of professionalism • Election coverage. Claims - that all media were biased ( Stories used, adjectives used, pictures, where stories were placed, generally how certain politicians/parties were portrayed) etc) - that media fuelled ethnic animosities ( comments from listeners, use of proverbs, guests invited to shows, how much time given.) - Use of gory pictures/ (Other side)- portrayed the reality on the ground, helped to identify areas that needed emergency help
Positives • United media and its message of peace. • Choice of songs and other messages. • Withdrawal of political ads. • Was the only way for people to know what was happening.
Food for thought • Debate on the KCA 2009 - One side of the debate given total blackout deliberately. - Minister, PS and all who supported the Bill, now Act, given blackout - Guests invited to discuss the issue - Did the end justify the means?
Emerging Challenges • Internet research • Instantaneous/live coverage • Citizen journalism