SECTOR 4 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: 2.6 (2005=3.3; 2007=3.7) 4.2 The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. Analysis Principles of accuracy and fairness are not always adhered to. There is bias towards political coverage and little about the grassroots. There is bias in headlines giving hint to certain perceptions and images. Quality of reporting also depends on the editorial policy of the media house. In other words, fair and accurate reporting conforms to editorial interests of the media house. For example, one time the former Minister for Finance Amos Kimunya made a statement about the Stock Market not being a ‘fish market or a potato market’. But the media reported only on the bit about the stock market not being a ‘fish market,’ which was a deliberate slant and a case of lack of accuracy and fairness. Also, some stories lack follow-up to a logical conclusion. This has at times been attributed to time pressure to meet deadlines and the ‘newsworthiness’ of such ongoing stories. As such, media practitioners have failed to exhaust all possible sources of information. The coverage tends to adhere to “facts” and not necessarily “truth”. Selection of the “news” is therefore the prerogative of the reporter and editor. These two it is said, argue that the society itself has its practice and expectations, and that the “news” is therefore not a conspiracy in the media house. On the whole from studies conducted, standards are wanting and there is need to improve journalistic standards in Kenya. One way to improve the situation is through more training. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2009 53