Month: August 2019
The intrigues of gathering facts
Journalist are tasked to inform the public in a factual manner always. It is also their duty to represent the facts given by different sources…
Hero or ethnic bigot? The trial of John De’Mathew
Celebrated Nigeria poet Christopher Okigbo threw away his pen, grabbed a gun and marched to the frontline of the Biafra war, which broke out in…
Mpango wa kando’ is Kenya’s new normal
Radio Jambo has a jingle that could kick up a storm among feminists. “Mpango wa kando ni kama prostitute, kazi yake in pesa!” says a…
A journalist is always on the side of the poor
On August 21, Capital FM online published a lengthy (but poorly edited) investigative piece titled, “In Kayole, youthful criminals are ready to kill just to…
PD reporters took readers on tour of Punjani’s castle
This piece should have appeared the other week. But better late than never. The Observer wishes to celebrate scribes Reuben Mwambingu and Kimathi Mutegi of…
MEDIA MONITORING: Is media forcing ‘candidates’ into 2022 poll?
Introduction The Fourth Estate is the prime source of detailed coverage and analysis of political news. Most of the lead stories especially around election time…
MEDIASCAPE: Ignorance on De’Mathew and need for inclusive newsrooms
Let us start with the death of John De’Mathew, the man variously described as a Kikuyu music maestro and legend. As soon as news filtered…
GUEST COLUMN: Standard covered up evils of betting craze
By Isaack Omulo A two-page spread story appearing in the Sunday Standard on August 4 bore the headline, “Sports face hard times over sponsorship withdrawal”….
PEN COP: Waiyaki Way-Rironi expansion has not stalled
And like a mutating monster, the agency has shifted from the hapless, jobless youth to women groups (Nation, August 19, p.5). Common mistake. There are…
Why is DP Ruto so hostile to journalists?
Deputy President William Ruto is a familiar face and voice in the news. His position naturally keeps him in the limelight. But Ruto is not…