The African Media houses have been advised to write more developmental issues within their countries and the African continent in general and focus less on political issues.

These remarks were made by the Permanent Secretary; Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Bitange Ndemo when he launched a two day media conference at a Nairobi Hotel organized by the Daystar University,  in conjunction with the Media Council of Kenya focusing on the Role of Mass Media in Development.

Mr. Ndemo noted with concern on the prominence and priority political stories have been given by broadcast stations in their coverage and by those who determine editorial content of the media houses working in print industry

“The words of Politicians cannot change the society but media plays a key role in changing the Society. Through the respective media councils, we are encouraging journalists to write and report on developmental issues”, Ndemo said.

Citing an example in the agricultural sector, Mr. Ndemo noted with concern on the existing gaps that exist especially on relaying information on good practices and farming methods aimed at improving productivity. He acknowledged that there is a dire need to sensitize journalists on the importance of reporting well researched and educative pieces that are able to equip framers with expertise on how to improve productivity. 

Speaking at the same forum the Daystar Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. John Masso sadly noted that the media content is now been driven by the consumption patterns of both the readers and listeners. Sadly, some of the stories aired lack a development aspect consequently narrowing the debate to lifestyle issues.

Also Speaking at the conference on the Media’s structures and ownership: the case of Community Media in Africa, Mr. Evans Mutua from United States International University (USIU) said in as much as community radio records inherent advantages with its ability to reach the grassroots as opposed to mainstream media, however a lack of enough content to be aired and financial constraints pose major challenges in a as far as their sustainability is concerned.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Preamble Article no. 19, “Everyone have a right of get information; Kenya being a signatory of this convention recognizes community radio as one of the tools of information dissemination consequently playing a central role in the of fight against poverty in Africa and if used effectively to it can be a good tool to educate the society”, said Mutua.

Professor, Egara Kabaji, a lecturer at the Masinde Muliro University alluded to this remarks noting that community radio stations are still struggling with funding as opposed to their counterparts operating in the main stream industry due to the benefits and boost they get from advertisements. He also concurred with the fact that no development can take place in any country without information especially to its citizens.