This article reports on a study that attempted to understand news and information inequalities by mapping the distribution of broadcast media outlets, the spread of accredited journalists, and the presence of established news bureaus in the eight regions in Kenya. Further, the study sought to determine the ownership of the broadcast media in Kenya and the trends in ownership and audience reach within the context of commercial interest and public interest dialectics. The study was anchored on the theory of the political economy of the media which looks at power relations that influence the production, distribution and consumption of resources from a critical tradition. Based on the analysis of documents, audience research data, and literature on media representation and socioeconomic and political development, the study revealed that Nairobi County is the news and information hub. It has the most journalists, radio stations and news bureaus, whereas far-flung counties exist in news and information deserts.
Central region residents were found to consume the least percentage of the non-local language radio stations as they prefer local language or vernacular radio stations Western, South Nyanza (Nyamira and Kisii) and North Western regions are unique in that their consumption of radio with a national target audience is fairly high when the Average Daily Radio Reach (ADRR) of the top five radio stations is considered. Ownership of the radio market is in the hands of five media organisations that share 43.70% of the ADRR. The establishment, audience reach and ownership trends of these media organisations coupled with the spread of journalists and news bureaus revealed news and information inequalities. The audience reach by broadcast media outlets, even in areas where vernacular radio stations provide a rich diet of media content, seems to be more interested in ownership for profit maximisation at the expense of public interest.
Check out the publication by Hesbon Hansen Owilla, Njoki Chege, Alex Awiti and Caleb Orwa.
Team EASTReport by Aga Khan University’s Media Innovation Centre analyses the country’s millennials and digital natives’ media consumption habits.
The partnership will also ensure that local content is curated and distributed to better optimize the product and meet the needs of Kenyan online users.
This report investigates the link between media safety and media viability.
The two reports examine policy towards misinformation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Reuters Institute Digital News Report highlights trends in the types of devices used for news consumption, as well as access and trust data for individual outlets in Kenya.
The GFMD MediaDev Fundraising Guide is designed to help anyone seeking funding for media development or journalism support projects.
Put in context, it is safe to argue that the plural media in Kenya could be in the business of reaching the audience and not necessarily serving this audience with public interest, local news.
This animated explainer offers media managers, journalists, consultants and scholars a brief look into the Media Viability concept.
Media Viability is arguably the biggest challenge facing the media industry today. It is a complex and dynamic concept with different interpretations. To those who some see it as an economic or finance sustainability issue, media viability is all about money.
Meet the founders of Ludique Works. The media start-up was part of the first cohort of the Innovators-in-Residence-Program.
The African Media Barometer delivers a home-grown analysis of the media landscape in Tanzania.
