On July 12, following nationwide protests that resulted in the loss of at least nine lives, UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala and Narok Senator Ledama Olekina were invited as guests on the popular Jeff Koinange Live (JKL) primetime show on Citizen TV. Expectations were high for a sombre and serious discussion about the nationwide protests and the way forward.
However, the conversation gradually spiralled out of control, with Olekina’s inappropriate language towards Malala becoming a notable point of concern. Although the JKL show is known for hosting fiery discussions and combining aspects of information and entertainment, there are facets of the interview that Jeff could have handled better to effectively control the interview.
The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion. This responsibility demands that journalists and talk show hosts maintain control over interviews to ensure informative, respectful, and relevant conversations. As JKL’s moderator, Jeff is expected to inform guests about the rules of engagement and help maintain a suitable environment for discussions. Foul or disrespectful language should not be tolerated, especially coming from leaders, as this can lead to further conflict among their supporters. This was particularly important given the interview occurred in the context of national unrest and heightened tensions in parts of the country.
During the interview, Senator Olekina repeatedly referred to the UDA secretary general as a “boy” and called him “stupid.” Initially, Jeff did not intervene to ensure appropriate use of language. The senator went further and told Malala his “ego was bigger than his balls.” Jeff did try to correct him but he played dumb and insisted that those were English words found in the dictionary. Jeff should have put his foot down and asked Olekina to retract his statement.
While Jeff did eventually address Olekina’s remarks and reminded him to use appropriate language, earlier intervention would have been more beneficial. This could have prevented the escalation of inappropriate language use, as it occurred during the show. While the sections containing more inappropriate utterances were later removed from the show’s recordings on YouTube, viewers across the country were subjected to it in real time during the broadcast.
Ideally, Jeff should have intervened promptly and requested that the insults be retracted in order to establish boundaries for acceptable behaviour. Such action would send a strong message, discouraging future guests from resorting to insults, and therefore promoting a more respectful discussion. This would also help to uphold the show’s standards and protect the dignity of guests.
However, it is notable that Jeff did demonstrate proper control of the interview in certain instances during the interview. For example, when Olekina repeatedly referred to the government as “illegitimate”, Jeff promptly interjected, seeking clarification from the senator regarding his statement, considering the government was legally elected. While freedom of expression allows the senator to voice his opinion on the government’s legitimacy, Jeff’s approach of pointing out the facts and seeking clarification contributed to a more informative and constructive discussion. This responsible moderation helped ensure the conversation was factual and informative.
It is important for hosts and moderators in media stations to take control of discussions as they play a crucial role in shaping the tone, direction, and effectiveness of conversations. The media Code of Conduct requires that outlets refrain from publishing obscene or vulgar material. In a TV interview context, the moderator ought to be proactive in ensuring the conversation does not degenerate into inappropriate or offensive language and maintains a standard of taste and respectfulness. While Jeff did many things right, he could have exercised more control to ensure the interview remained respectful and constructive.
