Media And Challenges for NARC.

(From The Nation (Kenya) - AAGM)

Byline: P. Anyang' Nyong'o

Since the Narc Government came to power last December, I took leave from writing my weekly column in the Sunday Nation and decided to concentrate on my ministerial duties in the Ministry of Planning and National Development. I have, however, remained an avid reader of our newspapers so as to keep close to social discourse and the goings-on in the country.

Nine months have now gone, and an interesting phenomenon is taking place in our mass media. This is the phenomenon of increasing sensationalism. Next to it is the passionate love for cynicism and the "tearing down of straw men" by many weekly commentaries in our leading papers. Perhaps the only serious paper we have left today is The EastAfrican.

I also like the business sections of the Daily Nation and The East African Standard. Whenever the two papers carry out interviews with leading personalities and artistes they do a good job. There are special features that are very informative and historically invaluable. I like the Sunday Nation's Carol Mandi and the Saturday Nation's Oyunga Pala; whenever they write you can feel the depth of intellect and a human touch not laced with any pretences of "cleverness."

Phillip Ochieng has a fascinating mind and incisive criticism always laden with facts. His schooling in political economy, deep knowledge of philosophy and love for literature make his writing fascinating even when you disagree with him. He once called me a "Marxist Cassandra"! In spite of my many pleas with him to justify this claim, he has carefully dodged the subject.

Numerous challenges

I do not think that the Narc Government …