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CONVALESCING NEWS MEDIA CREDIBILITY DURING COVID 19 TIMES
CONVALESCING NEWS MEDIA CREDIBILITY DURING COVID 19 TIMES

CONVALESCING NEWS MEDIA CREDIBILITY DURING COVID 19 TIMES

Simon Gicia May 12, 2020

Analysis: “Coronavirus” and “COVID19” pandemic are now key words in most of our conversations. It is almost impossible to write a news story without finding how it links to the pandemic. Business news, politics, and sports all have to be hinged on the global health crisis.

Reporter’s scripts across the globe have been synchronised into numbers of infections, deaths, and recoveries. Governments have become a key source of news and in many instances the only source. Journalists have to rely on frequent press briefing from the political leadership and their appointed bureaucrats. In Kenya as many parts of the world, the frequency of news bulletins increased as per the need of governments to release new information to the public. Social media became awash with misleading information and soon lost its glimmer as the alternative or the channel of dissent.

The complexity and uniqueness of the pandemic did not only present global health systems with shock but journalism alike was thrust into an unorthodox space for storytelling. The strict rules of lockdowns, curfews, social distancing, and disruption of public transportation isolated news sources from the reach of journalists. Frontline medical workers, convalescents, and quarantined people could have been alternative and additional sources. However, the public health guidelines in place delayed a reach to these sources and some instances cut them out completely from being part of the story.

At the same time, many newsrooms adopted working from home while only skeleton staff went to work physically. The demand for information on COVID- 19 meant little time to do in-depth journalism. Scientific knowledge of the virus has not been within quick access due to the novel nature of the disease. This further thinned out sources of information for journalists.

Government departments seemed to the last source standing. While this gave a sense of authority to the information released to the media, dissenting voices became a target. Individuals who raised contradicting views were easily branded as fake news mongers and at times met with a harsh response.

The most recent survey from Infotrack, a Kenyan research firm, revealed that news media trust came second to the government while social media dropped to the bottom with only 35% of respondents crediting the platforms’ trustworthiness.

Journalism has endured a tough terrain with eroding trust and blame for overfeeding audiences with bad news. Many may argue on the point of what makes news. Universally, bad news is news. A section of audiences got fatigued with the bleak news of the virus. News media became a victim of backlash for a population suffering from fear and anxiety over the unbearable impact the pandemic has on their lives. It is fair that at a time like this, the masses need relief from bad news, but journalism doesn’t have to be tasked with the search for solace. At the core of the craft is to hold power to account to alert audiences of any deviations from the course of the public good. Naturally, this is packaged as bad news.

Timely and truthful information from the news media is vital for triggering change. In countries where the media operates freely, journalism is often hailed for provoking change in public matters of governance and accountability. The Coronavirus continues to present our world with unrivalled obstacles. The social and economic lives of entire countries and individual citizens have been thrust into deep uncertainty. The media and journalism industry will not grope its way of out the challenge but has to take off the blindfold and fearlessly reclaim its trust and duty to the audiences.
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By Frenny Jowi, Project Officer at Media Focus on Africa

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On this day, a year ago, we proudly announced Angel Mbuthia as the winner of Ms President. A true embodiment of leadership, grace, and resilience. Her journey continues to inspire us all.

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Curious to learn about the tangible impact of our #MsPresident program? Dive into the numbers, stories, and lessons learned in our comprehensive new report. Be inspired by the change driven by women leaders!

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Insights From the Recently Concluded Community Dialogues: Over the past few months, a series of impactful community dialogues took place in various counties across Kenya including, Homabay, Kisii, Kericho, Samburu, Embu, Kajiado, and Wajir. Read on below.

https://mediafocusonafrica.org/?news=empowering-communities-insights-from-the-recently-concluded-community-dialogues

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📢 Breaking the Silence! Jan Ajwang, our team leader, takes the stage at AWiM23 to discuss "Policies and strategies against gender-based violence in media organizations." Join us in the conversation as we work towards responsible reporting and a media landscape free from GBV. #AWiM23 #MediaEmpowerment #EndGBV
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Empowering women starts with giving them a voice. MFA is using media to amplify the voices of female journalists, breaking the silence on gender-based violence.

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Online Gender Based violence against women means that women don't have the liberty to enjoy the benefits of the internet. As a media house, journalist, editor, - what are you doing t make online spaces safe for women in Media?
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🎉 Celebrating 5 Years of Media Brilliance at Uganda Media Week! 🎉
As the curtains fall on the 5th edition of Uganda Media Week, it's not just an event's culmination but a reflection on an incredible five-year journey of shaping the media landscape. From its humble inception to the resounding success of this year's conference, Uganda Media Week has evolved into a powerhouse of knowledge, collaboration, and innovation.

🌟 A Journey of Excellence: Five years ago (In 2019), we embarked on a mission – to create a platform where media professionals, thought leaders and enthusiasts could converge, share insights, and chart the course for the future of journalism. What unfolded exceeded our wildest expectations. Each edition has been a unique tapestry of conversations, learnings, and collaborations that have pushed the boundaries of media excellence.

🙏 Gratitude to All Contributors: To the speakers who've graced our stages, your wisdom has been the guiding light illuminating the path of our discussions. To the attendees, your enthusiasm and engagement have breathed life into every session. A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and partners whose unwavering support has been the bedrock of our success.

🚀 Looking Back, Looking Forward: As we celebrate the past, we also cast our eyes forward. The next five years hold immense promise and potential. We're committed to furthering our impact, pushing the boundaries of media, journalism and innovation, and elevating the voices that matter. The future of journalism is an open narrative, waiting to be written, and we're excited to script it together.

🎤 Join the Movement: Uganda Media Week is not just an event; it's a movement, a community of passionate individuals united by a common purpose – to redefine the narrative of media. As we embark on the journey ahead, we invite you to be a part of this exciting chapter. Your voice, your insights, and your stories are integral to the ongoing evolution of media excellence.

🥂 Here's to Five Years of Media Excellence, and to Many More! 🌐 #journalism #MediaMattersUG #UgandaMediaWeek
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Reflecting on the success of Uganda Media Week 2023 fills us with immense gratitude. Our exceptional speakers, engaged participants, and dedicated sponsors have collectively elevated the discourse on media excellence. I extend my heartfelt thanks to each person who contributed to this transformative event. Your passion and commitment have set a new standard for what's achievable in the realm of media. Let's continue to push boundaries and shape the future of journalism together. #MediaMattersUG

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⏳ Time's ticking! Its tommorow!🌟
Media houses, schools, #media owners, public servants and other key stakeholders in the media will be in one place -discussing "Public Interest, Ai & the Future of Journalism" at the #UgandaMediaWeek2023 conference.
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Annual Report 2022

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FEATURED POSTS

  • Embracing the Future: Uganda Media Week 2023 Explores Public Interest, AI, and the Evolution of Journalism
  • Using media and dialogue to fight against Gender Based Violence against Women and girls.
  • Training Rural media Outlets and Female Practitioners on Media Viability
  • Rural Based Journalists trained on digital inclusion reporting for marginalized groups of people

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