Of course, I agree completely because there is clearly only one side to this story and the Media has told it all exhaustively from all angles not least during tonight’s 20 minute example of thorough, investigative, objective and “comprehensive” journalism (that last adjective provided by NTV’s Janet Kanini), not to mention the many prime time minutes taken up over the last 14 business days (and holidays) to “discuss” the issue. 

So tonight, after the 20 minute expose, Janet goes, “In other news” ODM leaders shall have an emergency meeting to discuss the growing divide between Kibaki and Raila Odinga. It sounds like Odinga doesn’t have access to the president. NTV says that they’ve learned that Raila was not actually consulted by the President over the “Media” bill and “other issues” …and now there is some concern that the marriage is (again!) not sitting on rose petals after all. A clip from Orengo at a rally or somewhere is provided, he’s saying that the two should not be kept apart. Literally that no one should sit between them. I’ll have to return with the name of the character…I can’t remember now.

This sounds like, “someone” is trying to suggest or cause a rift between Raila and Kibaki, which already crippled this country once, for months, exactly one year ago. 

Whether or not Kibaki and Raila are getting along at the moment is not critical, but the idea that they are not, tena when galvanized by the idea of a gagged media (especially when you think about the sequential positioning of the particular stories) can only serve to isolate Kibaki and if really developed, can be the pretext for some demonstration somewhere, at best. I don’t know how any law can make the media think beyond it’s own self-interest, truly. If Mainstream Media wants to be subversive (which is someone else’s role), or manipulative, it would take a lot of effort from government to stop, in fact more than is in the interest of government, at least at this moment in our history, and as we continue towards positive movement. 

Government is far from flawless, but the Media at this point is thought to be flawless, or is behaving as if it has no blood on its hands, which is far more dangerous, as it may draw more at any point, and we shall not be watching to expect it.

9.36pm; Janet’s just been reading the International news on the Gaza situation, she goes: “News just in: Hislop[?], White house Comptroller has been sent on an “indefinite leave…” “a close friend to Kibaki” has taken over his duties etc… I’m feeling like this is only important information if you are trying to either construct or expose a conspiracy.

My main question during and particularly after the show was “What was the purpose of the program?” If they wanted to have a screaming match, they could have excluded him as they’ve done all week. But to invite him suggests that they wanted to hear what he had to say as the relevant minister, or that they wanted to seem like they wanted to hear, or they wanted a new pretext to say what they thought (since the lectures and advertisements have gone stale) or better yet, to prove him weak, unpolished, irrational, illogical and especially Draconian in the face of their accusations.

Tonight Kathleen represented not only the media’s but her own personal brand of ugly, employing sarcasm, irrational language and behavior – it’s a wonder Phogisio did not get visibly frustrated with her, instead going the other way trying to calm her as you would a child having a fit; “Kathleeeeen.”

The one, and I mean, the single point of contention that any of the three were able to clearly get across without concealing it in fear, was that “some sections are worded in generality.” – I believe that spot of brilliance came from Muite and/or Makali at various points. Openda was a star when it came to rather stupid retorts, for example the following when Phogisio mentioned the media blackout he received when we were getting 10-25minutes of hot air about the Bill from all media houses. Openda flippantly said he should have used the national TV station KBC adding “Oh, are there not enough people watching KBC?” then “Did you have to come to Nation Media?!” with such venom and arrogance – yaani! The woman had the gall to suggest that Government does not have an equal responsibility to protect Information and Communications industry and treat them with as much sensitivity as it ought Sports and Culture, on the pretext that Information is more special, that it is power. Indeed information is power, therefore Government must engage with companies wielding such power and responsibily regulate them. In fact, it must regulate every industry as responsibly, protecting every industry from itself and Special Interests be they internal or international. Openda had the greater audacity to accuse government of backdoor deals, as if they do not happen in the media or corporate world. Of course they happen, but with her attitude you’d think the Media was John the Baptist without the humble sheepskin covering.

I finally learned that section 46 h & i are fairly big issues as far as this bill is concerned. I can confirm from this interview and perhaps more usefully with the Family TV one with Paul Njiri, that Section 88 has nothing to do with the present Kenya Communications Amendment bill the President may or may not sign.

Still, the party present made it as much an issue that it wasn’t on the table to be repealed, that the Media Council is the body that should do what the proposed commission that will regulate programming (if “regulate” is the right word). Even if any of them had anything to say beyond the aforementioned important and critical point, it got lost in these voiced fears, imaginations and accusations. Why are you going to bother having a government, acknowledge it, and report on it as it were actually “Government”, if the second they want to make a law that affects you, you want to fail to participate in the process (None of those present could say that Phogisio was lying when he recounted how the media’s every contribution had been incorporated, that no one had said a thing about the now contentious issues when there was room for discussion.)

At the end Openda asks Phogisio if he has changed his position. Phogisio calmly explains that the moment for him to change positions is not here, and why not, and Openda is disgusted that he didn’t quite believe her after all her hard work shouting him down throughout the hour – in the same way that Kenya has believed the media wholeheartedly on this issue.

Straight out, Kathleen Openda was an embarrassment to Presenters, talk show hosts, and regular people who think its important to treat others with due respect.

As you might tell, by the end of it, problems or no problems, there was no love lost between the media and myself. I do not care for anyone trying to shove anything down my throat, or behaving in such a stupid, immature manner. If I thought it would teach the media anything, I would encourage Kibaki to just sign the bleeding Bill. And maybe try to fix it later, if they thought they could do it within the current term. At this point I’m willing to believe the idea that Government is capable of more good than the Media. Or at least more finesse.

It’s 10 minutes into the news tonight, we’re still talking about the Media BIll. Oh, now they’re talking about the Nairobi Metro 2030. Apparently Kibaki and Raila were walking through town, launching the plan. Interesting.

Gosh darn, it was too good to be true. We’re back on the media bill. hm. Another angle; they’re talking about what the legal options are for the bill. Apparently even if Kibaki takes it back, the offending Section 88 may not be addressible. another 5 min. ok, now we’re talking about Mpesa… ugh, we’re already in business news.

I guess that’s the main local news… i guess its better than the 25minutes that went to talk of the media bill in the news last saturday night, from 9pm-9.25pm, including a lecture/speech by the presenter person to the president/the public… (?!) And I still don’t know what’s between Section 1-87, and everything after.

I suppose the public is too dumb to be allowed to form their own opinion? The simple thing we must regurgitate is “Please Mr. President, don’t sign the bill.” I feel like this is election time and I’m being told to vote the press a la ODM  (They were the loud ones). The blue corner, as it were, is rather silent. But Kibaki is smooth like that. If I were president I would go about my business too, and talk to people when I was good and ready. You never want people to think they run you. Especially when you are the media and to some extent, therefore public opinion. But how do you let people know that you are conscious of their concerns even as you go away to make “the best” decision? That’s the lesson I want folk to learn from Obama.

OOOH!!! They just reported on the shoe thrown at President Bush in Baghdad. DUDE! Apparently Bush was chewing gum? That’s not very polite. You’d have to be really angry though, and not in the insane murderous way, to throw a shoe at a president. Using the Master/Servant figure, either the President, as servant of the people, is behaving in a really infuriatingly stupid manner, like a certain waiter at a certain hotel i remember in Nakuru (dude got everything from drinks to dessert late and wrong) or, the President as Master has behaved in a manner so unbecoming of his office, or the leadership expected of him, that he has rendered himself unworthy of the respect of that office. The story is so ridiculous though, that I almost want to hope they will let the shoe wielder go without too much trouble. Seems like the very definition of “temporary insanity.” Those folks who try and kill presidents or other human beings anyhow, and then try and get off on the pretext of temporary insanity, have got to be faking it. This guy is it! What I want to know is why he did it at that particular moment, you know, what set him off?? Did Bush greet the press wrong? (I think he made a greeting in Arabic) Was it the chewing gum? Don’t look, but we’re back to the Media bill, the reporter describing the Bush incident ends saying, “Now here is a [place] where they need Media Regulation! LOL!

LOrdi, its 9.50pm. There’s a sponsored ad about The Media Bill. Inspiring fear by all by linking that 2006 Government raid on a media house, where they destroyed equipment and stuff. That was a VERY BAD thing to do. Unforgivable. (Just in case anyone thinks I think it was a good thing.) The sponsor also links the bill to the preference of Government to evade taxes. Incidentally, the way the press is talking one would think that the media bill and the tax issue were the same issue. That they are linked is possible, but it seems like it goes back to this idea of inspiring fear in a people, to get them to do what you want. Yes, I think the whole lot of MPs should pay taxes. dude. We would be so much closer to raising the money for Unga and Nairobi Metro 2030…but whatever. The resounding statement of the ad: “Protect Media Freedom. Protect Your Right to Know.”

Shrug. Politics is tough.

I have to commend President Bush on how he handled the Shoe Incident. (I didn’t watch the entire thing, but the clips I got suggest that he made no fuss, dodged well (continued chewing) but dodged well, and joked about it. He knew the guy wasn’t trying to kill him. He was just temporarily insane.