The issue of journalists’ brutality and victimization, in conjunction with suppression of the freedom of expression, has been prevalent in Kenya. However, sometimes it gets affiliated with emerging issues, which are only secondary factors (e.g., covid19), while the primary factors are left uncovered (eg, police regulation).
In my opinion, the writer seems to be more subjective than objective, and so I don’t agree with the perspective. For instance, the police brutality against journalists was only centered on a few cities. I was living in a big town at the time, and there was not a single case of journalist attacks. In fact, the police officers would go with the journalists and let them record people breaking curfew rules as a way of justifying why sometimes they are using force on civilians. So, the issue of journalists’ attacks was only isolated in a few cities although the article seems to show it as a nation-wide problem. In addition, although the article seems to showcase this as an ongoing issue, it actually prevailed for a few weeks, and came to a halt when the involved police officers started being prosecuted. Besides, in my opinion (and contrary to the writer who says the attacks are politically motivated) I would say the covid-related journalists’ attacks was mainly an issue on insufficient police regulation and lack of proper training on how to handle confrontational incidents.
Despite disagreeing with the perspective and viewpoint of the writer, the facts presented are all correct.
Charles Karanja Munderu,
Master of Communication and Journalism Student,
School of Mass Communication,
KIIT Deemed University, India
The issue of journalists’ brutality and victimization, in conjunction with suppression of the freedom of expression, has been prevalent in Kenya. However, sometimes it gets affiliated with emerging issues, which are only secondary factors (e.g., covid19), while the primary factors are left uncovered (eg, police regulation).
In my opinion, the writer seems to be more subjective than objective, and so I don’t agree with the perspective. For instance, the police brutality against journalists was only centered on a few cities. I was living in a big town at the time, and there was not a single case of journalist attacks. In fact, the police officers would go with the journalists and let them record people breaking curfew rules as a way of justifying why sometimes they are using force on civilians. So, the issue of journalists’ attacks was only isolated in a few cities although the article seems to show it as a nation-wide problem. In addition, although the article seems to showcase this as an ongoing issue, it actually prevailed for a few weeks, and came to a halt when the involved police officers started being prosecuted. Besides, in my opinion (and contrary to the writer who says the attacks are politically motivated) I would say the covid-related journalists’ attacks was mainly an issue on insufficient police regulation and lack of proper training on how to handle confrontational incidents.
Despite disagreeing with the perspective and viewpoint of the writer, the facts presented are all correct.
Charles Karanja Munderu,
Master of Communication and Journalism Student,
School of Mass Communication,
KIIT Deemed University, India