SECTOR 2

President and Prime Minister to settle their differences and address urgent
national issues, including insecurity, sexual violence, poverty, constitutional
reforms and national reconciliation. The mass media treated the event with sexist
vilification and cynical trivialization which ended up detracting audiences from
the real concerns that the group was raising.
Unfair portrayal of women can also be seen in reporting which is mainly
judgmental, and where the coverage is made, the story will only be used as a filler.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator.

3

Country meets many aspects of indicator but
progress may be too recent to judge.

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator.

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has
been doing so over time.

Average score: 			

2.2 (2005=n/a; 2007=n/a)

2.8
All media fairly reflect the voices of society in
its ethnic, linguistic, religious, political and social
diversity.
Analysis
All registered media espouse editorial fairness in reflecting national diversity.
However, media discriminates rural communities and marginalized groups.
Nevertheless, recent developments have increasingly made it imperative for media
to act fairly.
Because of competition for consumers, media outlets are making efforts at fairness,
wide coverage, ethics and diversity. Market segmentation and business interests
have similarly focused on diversity.
There is still a disproportionate focus on politics and the urban sector. It is said
that economic survival hinges on political coverage. This for example, was the
experience of the Nairobi Star (now The Star) newspaper which has had to shift
to increased political content.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2009

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