Two examples of sensational news.
First example: That Ruto tore into Raila.
A Standard heading May 14 said, “Ruto and Raila tear into each on demos, cost of living and taxes”.
The two leaders had met at the funeral of freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi’s widow, Mukami Kimathi, in Nyandarua County.
The story by Kennedy Gachuhi said that when President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga stood to speak, they “tore into each other.”
The Nation on the same day went with this heading: “Ruto, Raila big clash at Mukami Kimathi funeral”.
The story by Macharia Mwangi and Joseph Openda said the two leaders “clashed openly”. It added that they “traded barbs.”
Nothing wrong with either depiction. But the heading may have stretched it.
“Big clash” – big according to whom? Who decides “big”? The reporter? The sub editor? And “lash out” leans toward sensational – unless qualified. About that in a moment.
Second example: That Uhuru stormed a Jubilee party meeting.
A Nation headline April 26 said, “Uhuru Kenyatta storms Jubilee Party headquarters amid fracas”.
The story by Justus Ochieng then said in the intro that the former President was “forced to visit Jubilee headquarters in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, to show solidarity with former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni in his battle with ex-Kieni MP Kanini Kega for the party’s secretary-general post.”
Does this describe “storm”?
What exactly happened? In his own words, Kenyatta reportedly said Kioni called him about the “fracas” underway, and he decided to “come to stand in solidarity with him and party members to protect our party”.
Does any of these amount to a man storming into something? Well, maybe. But who decides on this dramatic verb – because that’s what it is: “storm” paints the picture of a dramatic entry. A chaotic entry.
Did Kenyatta “storm” into a room? Did Ruto and Raila “tear” at each other? Maybe both characterisations were correct. But not because the writer said so. They are correct only if the reporting shows it.
Show, don’t tell. Otherwise, it is sensational.
