Download
1 / 14
140 likes | 270 Vues
This document discusses the critical aspects of professionalism in journalism, drawn from Esther Kamweru's insights and MCK guidelines. Key tenets include accuracy, fairness, and the opportunity for replies, emphasizing that media outlets must balance speed of reporting with the accuracy to maintain credibility. It also addresses common complaints regarding taste, decency, and the portrayal of content, particularly in radio. The document outlines emerging challenges, such as the rise of citizen journalism and the impact of instantaneous coverage on journalistic standards.
E N D
Professionalism Esther Kamweru ED, MCK 7 MAY 2009
Requires • Adhere to the agreed code of practice • Basic tenets - Accuracy and fairness - Opportunity to reply - Not paying for news and articles
Challenges • There are a number of finer points of journalistic procedure that foster disagreements in principle and variation in practice among journalists especially in the mainstream media.
1. Accuracy • Most of the cases that come to the council are about this… Inaccuracy. • Accuracy is important as a core value and to maintain credibility. • However, audiences are turning towards media outlets that are reporting new information first… radio, mobile phones, television
Accuracy • Different organizations may balance speed and accuracy in different ways. • Break news on mobile phones, radio and television. • Print longer, more detailed, less speculative, and more thoroughly verified pieces the following day. • In the first instance, viewers may switch channels at a moment's notice; the fierce competition to get out first reduces the time to verify information. • This is the challenge.
2. Taste, decency and tone • Yet another common complaint especially from radio audiences. • Complaint that the subjects of conversation of radio talk shows are adult. • That some radio talk shows give psychological advise when they are not qualified to do so.
2. Taste, decency and tone • Complaints also against - Some music shows - Some soap operas
Defences • Give audiences what they want • It is pretensions to complain about sex talk on radio. • That the shows are entertainment and audiences are discerning enough to know this. • That they educate
Suggested remedy • Watershed hour where adult material is transmitted at certain times only. • Train the talk show hosts involves • Legislation ( No 1 above) .
Lack of professionalism • Election coverage. Claims - that all media were biased ( Stories used, adjectives used, pictures, where stories were placed, generally how certain politicians/parties were portrayed) etc) - that media fuelled ethnic animosities ( comments from listeners, use of proverbs, guests invited to shows, how much time given.) - Use of gory pictures/ (Other side)- portrayed the reality on the ground, helped to identify areas that needed emergency help
Positives • United media and its message of peace. • Choice of songs and other messages. • Withdrawal of political ads. • Was the only way for people to know what was happening.
Food for thought • Debate on the KCA 2009 - One side of the debate given total blackout deliberately. - Minister, PS and all who supported the Bill, now Act, given blackout - Guests invited to discuss the issue - Did the end justify the means?
Emerging Challenges • Internet research • Instantaneous/live coverage • Citizen journalism
