BBC World Service Trust

This 16-page policy briefing from the BBC World Trust Service analyses the role of the media in the Kenyan [January 2008] post-election violence. It is designed to enable an understanding of what has happened in Kenya in the belief that these issues have important policy implications and consequences in many countries. It situates its analysis within debates on democratic governance and poverty in order to contribute to a process of extracting lessons from the crisis.


The briefing examines political polarity in the media and its function as a political tool. It discusses the inciting of violence and the role of the local language or vernacular media, as well as the media's role in calming the violence. "The role of the media in Kenya's violence has ...raised questions of whether media can be too free in fragile states such as Kenya....[The] briefing argues that the role of the local language media during the crisis was the product of a chaotic regulatory policy and the lack of training - especially of talk show hosts, whose programmes provided the platform for most of the hate speech....It argues that many local language radio [stations] played a role in calming tensions as well as inflaming them, and could be a powerful mechanism for reconciliation."

Its historical preamble represents the Kenyan media as respected, thriving, and sophisticated, after a 15-year boom in which diverse advertising markets and a "voracious", highly literate population brought an "an explosion in media over recent years." The media "has played a substantial role in mediating relationships between citizens and state; ...has transformed...how...the ...marginalised in society access information on issues that shape their lives;" and has helped to bring Kenya from a one party state to a multiparty democracy. In addition, the media is seen as exposing corruption; as acting as a forum for public debate; and as "a guardian of the public interest against overweaning state power".

As stated in the briefing, while there are critics of media behaviour within the media itself, there is also media resistance to a government review of the media role in the crisis due to fears of limitation and regulation impinging on press freedom. To provide accurate information to policymakers and the media on the actions and roles of different media, the briefing attempts to examine the following:

• "claims facing local language media that it has fanned ethnic hatred and incited violence;
• the role of community media and an examination of why there isn’t more of it given its social role;
• the role of the mainstream media and examining claims that it has become politically co-opted;
• an examination of claims that blogs and [short message service] SMS text messages were used to inflame tension and incite ethnic hatred;
• the role of the government media, and the claim that a more credible and independent public service broadcaster could have done much to shape a more constructive tone in national debate; and
• ...the role of the international media."

Its conclusions are based on approximately 20 semi-structured interviews with national and international figures, mostly media research and support organisations, and figures linked to Kenyan media and civil society organisations, as well as the review of research and monitoring material. Policy conclusions described as relevant to development policymakers include:

1. "The media... play a central role in shaping Kenya’s democracy. The recent record of the media, according to many within it, is that media has undermined as well as invigorated that democracy....[The briefing urges] development actors to be better engaged and more supportive of media in the future.
2. The problem facing Kenya’s media is not an excess of media freedom. [but rather] a lack of it....Journalists and broadcasters face immense commercial and political constraints which are constraining their journalistic independence and integrity.
3. Some local language radio stations have incited fear and hatred....Talk shows have provided the greatest opportunities for hate speech and... [hosts] are not trained in conflict reporting or moderation....[T]his [training] was [felt to be] a priority.
4. [L]ocal language stations appear to have been playing an important role in calming tension and promoting dialogue. A strengthening of such a role... will form a critical contribution.
5. Training... remains a major priority, [particularly] training talk show hosts and others engaged in facilitating public debate. Training [journalists] on conflict reporting [is] now consider[ed]... an urgent need.
6. [A] debate [on media policy and regulatory environment] should be encouraged, and particular attention could usefully be focused on a public interest approach to broadcasting and media.
7. Media monitoring by civil society and research organisations has done a good deal to discourage the broadcast of hate speech by media organisations. Such monitoring is currently haphazard and could be more systematic and better supported.
8. Community media has... emerged with great credit [in calming the violence] and arguably provides a model for the future. It requires better, more strategic engagement and support in Kenya and elsewhere. This support is partly a question of policy engagement, partly one of financial, funding and sustainability models.
9. The poor remuneration, status and safety of journalists is hampering a free and plural media. Substantial progress in strengthening the media will not be possible unless the working conditions of journalists are improved.
10. There is no independent public service broadcaster in Kenya. If there is a debate and a move in the country to transform [a station] ... into one, it could usefully be intensively supported.
11. Kenya faces the most important public debate in its history. The media will be central to its character, conduct and its outcome. An inclusive and balanced debate may need financial support.
12. Coordination, information sharing and long term strategic planning of media support within Kenya could be substantially improved, including in ensuring that external media support is both demand led and strategically coherent. Much capacity building of media over recent years has been donor led (focused for example on specific health or other issues) rather than addressing the core challenges facing media in Kenya."

The document's conclusion is that "[t]he role of the media in Kenya's crisis was entirely preventable, and had it been prevented, the violence itself may well have been much more limited. Its role in the future may be critical in the reconciliation and restoration of democratic legitimacy in the months and years ahead."