Introduction
In developed nations, media communication is an attribute guided by policies and openness achieved through civilization. These nations are organized and run through the rule of law that directs people and delivery of information. However, such attributes as civilizations and patriotism are not core for all nations depicting differences of various forms across the globe.
The developing nations reveal factors and interests of distinct patterns characterized by nepotism, racism, tribalism, corruption, and violent political differences among others. Kenya is one such nation where media communications can be traced since independence in order to evaluate how it affects the government as well as how policies are implemented to enhance and control media freedom (Nyabuga and Booker 23).
Essentially, a slight political disagreement divides people along tribal lines. In this regard, the government of Kenya has fueled policies on media delivery especially in regard to violence induced by political and media influence. In this respect, media identifies all forms of communication between or rendered to the people within the Kenyan boundaries. This article will inform on the effects of media communication and establishment of policies to the government of Kenya.
Effects
Media Communication
Media is a key player to Kenyan economy in the perception that it is a business that operates to facilitate the proliferation of others. It advertises products and services for other companies and markets theirs provision in and outside the nation. The most prevalent forms of media are television, radio, social media, and cell communications. Media is a symbol of unity when used for right purposes especially in such times like when Kenya Broadcasting Commission operated as a monopoly organization in the communication industry. Social media allows people to interact with others all over the country as well as outside the nation.
Before the independence of Kenya in 1963, the colonial regime had strict anti-media laws to regulate the dispersion of information across the country. After this restrictive period, fruits of freedom began to show where people received information about their political and economic nature of the country (Nyabuga and Booker 33).
While media was a center of government power and master of ruling parties, it was also the heart of the most heinous acts in 1982 when Oginga Odinga tried to overthrow the government through it. It was unprecedented but people knew that the government had been overthrown. In this regard, media laws were implemented and revised during the era of President Daniel Arap Moi in 1982 (Nyabuga and Booker 27). The prevailing information technology and use of mobile devices were not prevalent at that time which made radio and television the most reliable means.
After the establishment of multi-parties in politics, another vital dimension arose where media spread the popularity of some leaders and brought in marginalization on basis of tribes. In 2008, a violence motivated adequately by mass media commenced after elections. The mass media influenced people and informed people about the unfortunate happening that led to intense violence. This reaction of the media leads to deprivation of the Kenyan economy, displacements, and poor living standards among Kenyans. It drew a line for hatred and tribal margins.
Establishment of Policies
The provision of mass communication had been certified as a monopoly where other companies were not allowed to play part in communication during the governments led by presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Arap Moi. However, this policy was nullified towards the end of Moi’s era where many companies were allowed into the market. The monopolistic Kenya Post and Telecommunication Corporation (KPTC) was divided into 3 sections namely Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK), Telecom Kenya and Postal Corporation of Kenya (Nyabuga and Booker 16).
Media has been acting as a center of controlling government and information, which has developed during the leadership of President Moi, Kibaki and Uhuru. Amendments of various forms have been made in respect to media freedom and a control organization termed as CCK. Some serious regulation policies implemented recently are paramount to the government’s control of violence.
In a statement, President Uhuru Kenyatta indicated that “careless and malicious journalism may destroy a nation and therefore the media ought to take responsibility in regard to such vices” (Olick par. 2). The president had dictated that media freedom was paramount and beyond reproach, but had to be controlled through personal and organizational responsibility. Therefore, journalists charged with this irresponsibility were to be fined Kshs 1 million at an individual level and Kshs 20 million for the media houses.
Government and Media
Essentially, there are various attributes that have come up to complement the 42 ethnic communities not only through the religious beliefs, but also through the scientific interpretations targeting to control the economy. In the sixteenth century, people relied on religious beliefs when making decisions regardless of the scientific factors that were influencing their social wellbeing. In essence, secularization refers to the transition where a society basing its structure and institutions on religion is established into a diverse nature incorporating secular and irreligious values.
The establishment of new media institutions relying on upcoming approaches from government was initiated and compared to each other. Furthermore, the shift marked the initiation of an informed society that serves together to facilitate economic prowess. These counties are governed by rules facilitating the economic progress of the society. The development of socialization is evident when there are logical explanations to events from a reliable source and in accordance to the control of government (Nyabuga and Booker 46).
Also, the shift introduced diverse values of supporting the actions of people from various perspectives such as political, economic, and social ways. Subsequently, the rational ways to argue the necessity of an action replaced most decisions made on the basis of beliefs. For instance, a person can avoid conflicts and war since he or she is aware of the repercussions inflicted by the government. Media is, therefore, a way to let people know that the government is working, and justice is apparent.
However, there are parameters or logical explanations that determine whether government and media are in a mutual contact to develop the nation. It takes the ingenuity of the journalists and leaders to develop a system of administration that can be heard from all corners of Kenya. The ingenious strategies must be reliable and ultimately resilient in all dimensions. In this way, the people attain varying roles that target to improve the society socially, economically and religiously. Consequently, media is imperative since it enhances the formation of the modern world.
Conclusion
Apparently, communication is a decisive factor in the prevailing society where information technology has become prevalent and highly accessible to the people. In this regard, malicious as well as unpleasant information is shared through the internet of such social services accepted in the Kenya as Facebook. It, therefore, implies that the content might be substandard, wrong and offensive. Essentially, such information may cause tension within the nation or lead to spread of rumors that may cause chaos. The contents shared through social media deserve a critical follow up and evaluation to establish how people receive them and react.
Works Cited
Nyabuga, George, and Nancy Booker. Mapping Digital Media: Kenya: A Report by the Open Society Foundations. London: Open Society Foundations, 2013. Print.
Olick, Felix. President Uhuru Kenyatta defends controversial media Bill. 2014. Web.