bulletin of the day. Generally, people tend to watch TV news along ethnical and
political lines, especially since the post-election violence ended in 2008.
The number of radio stations has increased further since the last AMB of 2009,
and radio continues to be the most widely available and accessible source of news
and information for the vast majority of Kenyans.
This positive interest in media is marred by the increase in the level of corruption
within the media sector. Media organisations have spoken out against corruption
but in practise, bribing journalists is such a common practice that it has been
coined “grassroots editing”. Grassroots editing is a practice whereby Kenyan
journalists receive money to run stories that are biased in favour of the person
who has paid the bribe. Even senior editors have been implicated and many of
them are suspected of being on a retainer for personalities in positions of power.
“Media houses have no moral high ground to punish corrupt journalists because
even senior editors are corrupt.”
Kenyan media reflects the Kenyan society, which means there is little space for the
voices of women or stories that tend to show women in a positive light. Stories
about women often centre on issues like domestic violence in which women are
portrayed negatively. Women from minority and conservative groups like Muslims
often come under intense scrutiny and are criticised about how they dress or talk
in public.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2012

9

Select target paragraph3