Good day bloggers!
As i turned on the telly to get my daily dose of global news, i couldn't help but notice the power the media has on society. The power is displayed right in our faces, yet many of us take no notice!
Many scholars have devoted their lives to debating whether or not the media really has such an enormous impact on us as it is claimed; many theories created as a result. Some of the most studied theories include: magic bullet theory, two step theory, gate-keeping theory, spiral of silence, uses and gratification theory as well as agenda-setting theory.
However, if examined closely, none of the media related theories refute the power of the press, but dwell on the extent at which it impacts the society (if at all).
Theories are better understood when put within familiar environs- media examples. When media doesn't cover a story of newsworthy value, many people would argue that it never really happened! If it's not reported on, it didn't happen.
The media has the ability to divert the audience's attention to a societal or political concern of their choice simply by priming a story (highlighting it). This also includes framing the story so as to raise importance in the audience's minds.
Advertising is one area that needs no introduction. The media portrays a desired lifestyle or product in order to reach their consumers. It is also done by linking products to influential members of society- two step theory (Nike using soccer players to sell their products).
These are but a few examples exhibiting the power of the media. However, power is nothing without control. By media possessing power, it is us to decide whether to consume media as passive or active users. It is our decisions that have the ultimate say on the how truly powerful the media is.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
UNEQUAL DEVEOPMENT
Hey guys!
Hope you're all okay. I have been basking in the sun down in Mombasa- still am for another two weeks. I took time out to publish my thoughts on the issue of unequal development.
As I watched the Prime time news, I couldn't help but notice how unequally developed my country is. However, this is common in almost all countries. Why? Why do some parts of the nation be treated superior to the other? Is it somehow linked to current politics? Is everything linked to politics?
Taking Kenya as a case study, we notice that Nairobi is the most developed city in the country. Incidentally, that is where the President's Office is; along with the elite crème de la crème of society. This requires it to be beefed up to the society's desires.
At the President's home (destination withheld), it is claimed to boast one of the best road networks in the country, yet the whole nation suffers massive potholes and uneven roads (some cases, funds have already been allocated for their betterment). Why?
The whole North Eastern part of Kenya is almost a desert! Reasons? "Under-developed", Minimal human inhabitants, unfavourable climate, high crime rate among many others. As a result of neglection by the government, Kenya is losing an enormous virgin land to desertification. This land if exploted well can earn the country millions of shillings annually.
At one point in history it had very fertile lands, now all that remains are gold stacks of grass. In early 2000-2001, almost 400,000 Somalis crossed the border to seek refuge in our country. This should have been the best reason not to turn a blind eye to the development of the region- yet that is what exactly happened. Why?
Kenya has the potential to grow economically if resources available are put to good use, and development occurs in a wide-spread manner rather than centralizing the process. If we truly use our resources effectively, aim at development beyond a centralized point and invest, Kenya truly has great potential in becoming the powerhouse in East, Central and Southern Afirca! What is there to stop us if we have man power, resources and effective leadership? The only result that can come out of such an enticing mixture is the recipe of success!
Hope you're all okay. I have been basking in the sun down in Mombasa- still am for another two weeks. I took time out to publish my thoughts on the issue of unequal development.
As I watched the Prime time news, I couldn't help but notice how unequally developed my country is. However, this is common in almost all countries. Why? Why do some parts of the nation be treated superior to the other? Is it somehow linked to current politics? Is everything linked to politics?
Taking Kenya as a case study, we notice that Nairobi is the most developed city in the country. Incidentally, that is where the President's Office is; along with the elite crème de la crème of society. This requires it to be beefed up to the society's desires.
At the President's home (destination withheld), it is claimed to boast one of the best road networks in the country, yet the whole nation suffers massive potholes and uneven roads (some cases, funds have already been allocated for their betterment). Why?
The whole North Eastern part of Kenya is almost a desert! Reasons? "Under-developed", Minimal human inhabitants, unfavourable climate, high crime rate among many others. As a result of neglection by the government, Kenya is losing an enormous virgin land to desertification. This land if exploted well can earn the country millions of shillings annually.
At one point in history it had very fertile lands, now all that remains are gold stacks of grass. In early 2000-2001, almost 400,000 Somalis crossed the border to seek refuge in our country. This should have been the best reason not to turn a blind eye to the development of the region- yet that is what exactly happened. Why?
Kenya has the potential to grow economically if resources available are put to good use, and development occurs in a wide-spread manner rather than centralizing the process. If we truly use our resources effectively, aim at development beyond a centralized point and invest, Kenya truly has great potential in becoming the powerhouse in East, Central and Southern Afirca! What is there to stop us if we have man power, resources and effective leadership? The only result that can come out of such an enticing mixture is the recipe of success!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
GLOBAL WARMING- ENTIRELY TRUE?
So i turn on the telly to get my mind off the hunger trying to overcome me- I'm fasting. I flip through the channels and Al-Jazeera grabs my attention. There was a report on the global warming effecting the the slow disintegration and separation of the icebergs in Greenland. This led me to think; Is global warming as big as it is claimed to be? Are these as a resulting of the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
My stand on this contentious issue is simple; it is there but blown out of proportion. Global warming is just the experts' lazy excuses of why such icebergs melt. I believe that though global warming does play a part in melting icebergs, it is not the sole reason for the detachments of them as witnessed on telly.
In a bid to raise awareness on the catastrophic effects resulting from global warming, many experts magnify the magnitude by highlighting it as the sole contributor to the spliting of icebergs.
I also believe that governments are using global warming as revenue earner. Governments are now imposing limits on the amounts of green house gases being ejected into the atmosphere. Industries that exceed the limits are fined heavily. Some countries (identities withdrawn) are paying money to the government in accordance to the amount of waste that is being released into the atmosphere. Is that out of true concern for the planet? or just another sly way of extorting companies out of millions of shillings?
If this is truly a concern, experts should delve in to the idea of how to minimize emissions, governments should close down industries producing excess amounts of green house gases (planet before money), industries should turn to alternative sources to reduce pollution, citizens should embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle among many other solutions.
I do acknowledge the efforts made by individuals and companies that are tirelessly trying to come up with "safer" alternatives to reduce pollution for instance solar powered cars. However, such a vision for the betterment of a nation is not a one man job, but rather a collective effort that includes the entire population for it to work. However,a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. Let these inventions be the stepping stone for a better future.
My stand on this contentious issue is simple; it is there but blown out of proportion. Global warming is just the experts' lazy excuses of why such icebergs melt. I believe that though global warming does play a part in melting icebergs, it is not the sole reason for the detachments of them as witnessed on telly.
In a bid to raise awareness on the catastrophic effects resulting from global warming, many experts magnify the magnitude by highlighting it as the sole contributor to the spliting of icebergs.
I also believe that governments are using global warming as revenue earner. Governments are now imposing limits on the amounts of green house gases being ejected into the atmosphere. Industries that exceed the limits are fined heavily. Some countries (identities withdrawn) are paying money to the government in accordance to the amount of waste that is being released into the atmosphere. Is that out of true concern for the planet? or just another sly way of extorting companies out of millions of shillings?
If this is truly a concern, experts should delve in to the idea of how to minimize emissions, governments should close down industries producing excess amounts of green house gases (planet before money), industries should turn to alternative sources to reduce pollution, citizens should embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle among many other solutions.
I do acknowledge the efforts made by individuals and companies that are tirelessly trying to come up with "safer" alternatives to reduce pollution for instance solar powered cars. However, such a vision for the betterment of a nation is not a one man job, but rather a collective effort that includes the entire population for it to work. However,a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. Let these inventions be the stepping stone for a better future.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
"DEVELOPMENT"
Dear ICT consumer,
Once again I must apologize for my absence in the blogging world. My reasons are honest; had to study as I had exams! Cliché right? Either way, it is true! This concludes my apology. Thank you.
As I studied for my exams, questions twirled in my mind. These are the questions that many students ask themselves, desperately searching for the answers. Why do learn things we won't “need” in the future? Why do lecturers “torture” us with exams? Will I ever find a job in this developing country?
The last question really had me thinking. In my country, the unemployment rate is at a staggering 40% The average Kenyan lives under a dollar a day. Most of the population fall under the umbrella of sub-standards of living. However, does that mean we give up? NO!
The world has derived terms that disintegrates the society rather than uniting us. One such term is development. Who defies the term development? According to whose “desirable” standards did this phenomenon come from? Is it limited only to a large scale?
As a result, many countries strive to be recognized as developed nations; Kenya included. Despite various setbacks in our aim for “development”, we shouldn't give up. Let us not develop so as to fit in with the society, but develop at our own pace for the betterment of our nation. As much as we are seen to be staying stagnant in terms development, through my eyes development has already occurred. Development is seen in the free public primary school education benefiting thousands of children, almost 17 million phone users embracing technology, a peaceful referendum voting process proving the world Kenya is peaceful, embracing a new Constitution after the struggles of the past 20 years, Increasing revenue brought in by tourism and even an improve in infrastructure.
Yes, there have been struggles and hiccups, but these are unavoidable circumstances. True character is derived from how these struggles are overcome. I do not necessarily back all the methods of overcoming the issues of development in our country, but I believe that is being done in good faith.
In our quest for “development”, we should use the “developed” countries as our case studies. Borrowing certain aspects from different nations builds a nation exhibiting open- mindness and one that embraces diversity. We can borrow the idea of flexi-time working hours from the US, part time jobs from Canada, improved pension schemes from UK, better road networks from China, online jobs from Australia among many ideas. However, let us not let foreign ideas dull our sense of innovation or our close ties to culture, but rather augment our already intact systems of status-quo.
Once again I must apologize for my absence in the blogging world. My reasons are honest; had to study as I had exams! Cliché right? Either way, it is true! This concludes my apology. Thank you.
As I studied for my exams, questions twirled in my mind. These are the questions that many students ask themselves, desperately searching for the answers. Why do learn things we won't “need” in the future? Why do lecturers “torture” us with exams? Will I ever find a job in this developing country?
The last question really had me thinking. In my country, the unemployment rate is at a staggering 40% The average Kenyan lives under a dollar a day. Most of the population fall under the umbrella of sub-standards of living. However, does that mean we give up? NO!
The world has derived terms that disintegrates the society rather than uniting us. One such term is development. Who defies the term development? According to whose “desirable” standards did this phenomenon come from? Is it limited only to a large scale?
As a result, many countries strive to be recognized as developed nations; Kenya included. Despite various setbacks in our aim for “development”, we shouldn't give up. Let us not develop so as to fit in with the society, but develop at our own pace for the betterment of our nation. As much as we are seen to be staying stagnant in terms development, through my eyes development has already occurred. Development is seen in the free public primary school education benefiting thousands of children, almost 17 million phone users embracing technology, a peaceful referendum voting process proving the world Kenya is peaceful, embracing a new Constitution after the struggles of the past 20 years, Increasing revenue brought in by tourism and even an improve in infrastructure.
Yes, there have been struggles and hiccups, but these are unavoidable circumstances. True character is derived from how these struggles are overcome. I do not necessarily back all the methods of overcoming the issues of development in our country, but I believe that is being done in good faith.
In our quest for “development”, we should use the “developed” countries as our case studies. Borrowing certain aspects from different nations builds a nation exhibiting open- mindness and one that embraces diversity. We can borrow the idea of flexi-time working hours from the US, part time jobs from Canada, improved pension schemes from UK, better road networks from China, online jobs from Australia among many ideas. However, let us not let foreign ideas dull our sense of innovation or our close ties to culture, but rather augment our already intact systems of status-quo.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
ALL EYES ON KENYA- Update
An update on the historic poll in Kenya.
The President, Prime Minister and Vice- President were all present at KICC (Kenya International Conference Centre) as attention shifted from the IIEC headquaters at 5.15 p.m
The elite trio were to address Kenyans at 4 p.m. However, they delayed their speech to the public in the hope of the results being finalized.
With the YES team winning with 2.5 million votes at 5 p.m, it was widely believed they had won the referendum day voting; a belief confirmed at 8 p.m
The registered number of voters totaled to 12 million- 71% of whom voted during the poll. The YES team emerged victorious, accumulating 5.94 million votes while the NO team gathered 2.68 million as of 7 p.m.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga led the country in celebrating in the new constitution. However, he did underline that this is by no means a victory for only the YES group, but the nation as a whole. He further emphasized that it is now time for the nation to work together to make the Constitution work for the benefit of the country.
NO campaign influential member, Mr. Ruto concedes defeat in the poll- not in the building of the nation. In his address to the media, he underscored the importance of a meeting between the two parties to reach an agreement on the contentious issues surrounding the new Constitution.
The President has two weeks to which he has to put pen to paper in approval of the Constitution.
On a personal note, I would like to congratulate the IIEC for holding a successful poll, the government for ensuring the security of Kenyans thus far, and most importantly my fellow Kenyans for participating in this historic event, and doing so with harmony.
This poll has exhibited the real spirit of the nation as peaceful people, and disbanding the image placed over us by the global audience during the last general elections.
Kudos Kenya!
The President, Prime Minister and Vice- President were all present at KICC (Kenya International Conference Centre) as attention shifted from the IIEC headquaters at 5.15 p.m
The elite trio were to address Kenyans at 4 p.m. However, they delayed their speech to the public in the hope of the results being finalized.
With the YES team winning with 2.5 million votes at 5 p.m, it was widely believed they had won the referendum day voting; a belief confirmed at 8 p.m
The registered number of voters totaled to 12 million- 71% of whom voted during the poll. The YES team emerged victorious, accumulating 5.94 million votes while the NO team gathered 2.68 million as of 7 p.m.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga led the country in celebrating in the new constitution. However, he did underline that this is by no means a victory for only the YES group, but the nation as a whole. He further emphasized that it is now time for the nation to work together to make the Constitution work for the benefit of the country.
NO campaign influential member, Mr. Ruto concedes defeat in the poll- not in the building of the nation. In his address to the media, he underscored the importance of a meeting between the two parties to reach an agreement on the contentious issues surrounding the new Constitution.
The President has two weeks to which he has to put pen to paper in approval of the Constitution.
On a personal note, I would like to congratulate the IIEC for holding a successful poll, the government for ensuring the security of Kenyans thus far, and most importantly my fellow Kenyans for participating in this historic event, and doing so with harmony.
This poll has exhibited the real spirit of the nation as peaceful people, and disbanding the image placed over us by the global audience during the last general elections.
Kudos Kenya!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
ALL EYES ON KENYA
It is here- the date circled by many Kenyans on their calender. It is the day day people take to the polls to have their final say on the future of the nation.
Voting for the the proposed Constitution commenced at 5 a.m. with 27,000 polling stations being set up; some stations experiencing a delay due to unforeseeable transportation hiccups.
All in all, queues have been long and consisted of many eager voters. The ambiance at polling stations was tranquil. Hope filled the faces of many voters.
The government has tightened security around the country, with each polling station overlooked by the police.
The media along with influential members of the government have commended the public for carrying out voting in such a harmonious manner.
Polling stations are meant to close at 5 p.m, with some stations staying open for a while longer in order to accommodate the lost time due to the hiccups.
Both camps seem to be confident on the outcome of th result. One thing to bear in mind is that this is no competition but the foundation to a better future. Irrespective of the outcome of the votes, peace has to prevail.
Let us hope for the best. I will be back with the results of the votes tomorrow. Till then, have a blessed day!
Voting for the the proposed Constitution commenced at 5 a.m. with 27,000 polling stations being set up; some stations experiencing a delay due to unforeseeable transportation hiccups.
All in all, queues have been long and consisted of many eager voters. The ambiance at polling stations was tranquil. Hope filled the faces of many voters.
The government has tightened security around the country, with each polling station overlooked by the police.
The media along with influential members of the government have commended the public for carrying out voting in such a harmonious manner.
Polling stations are meant to close at 5 p.m, with some stations staying open for a while longer in order to accommodate the lost time due to the hiccups.
Both camps seem to be confident on the outcome of th result. One thing to bear in mind is that this is no competition but the foundation to a better future. Irrespective of the outcome of the votes, peace has to prevail.
Let us hope for the best. I will be back with the results of the votes tomorrow. Till then, have a blessed day!
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