SECTOR 2 2.6 Government promotes a diverse media landscape with economically sustainable and independent media outlets. The deployment of a fibre optic network in Kenya has helped foster the growth of electronic media. But the government does little to directly promote the growth of a strong and independent media. The media in Kenya does not enjoy tax concessions or subsidies on equipment or resources. The costs of setting up and running media houses are generally considered to be high. There has been continuous advocacy by the media fraternity to further bring down the cost of setting up and running media organisations. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 3.2 (2005 = n/a, 2007 = n/a, 2009 = 1.5) 2.7 All media fairly reflect the voices of both women and men. Kenyan media reflect the structure and behaviour of society, which means there is limited space for the voices of women or even stories that tend to show them in a positive light. Stories often centre on issues like domestic violence in which women are portrayed negatively and as victims unable to help themselves out of these situations. Women and groups like Muslims, as a minority, often come under intense scrutiny about how they dress or talk in public. “The media is basically masculine and that is the way journalists are trained – ‘women make news as victims or as scandalous headlines’.” Thus, it is common to see headlines like, “Three robbers, including a woman, rob bank.” 34 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2012