A Nation in Denial: Leaders, Morality, and Why Media is Not The Enemy

Interestingly, whenever society is unable to come to terms with the truth about itself, it, especially through the political class, uses all means, however cheap, to externalize the issue by blaming others.

The media always bears the brunt of this insincerity and doublespeak, especially from our leaders in both the political and religious class. The media is a mirror of society. With changes in the collection and packaging of news, where the audience dictates what it prefers to consume, and the rise of digital platforms, the gatekeeping role of the media has significantly evolved to reflect the true image of society.

The media does not operate in a vacuum but represents the values, culture, and character of the society it serves. Journalists are members of this society and are greatly influenced by the environment around them.

We are a country that lacks well-defined values, has abandoned morals, and lives in constant pretense, from political and religious leaders to the education system. This extends to the highest levels of leadership, where insults, lies, hate speech, and abusive language are used, without shame, at graduation parties, church sermons, political rallies, and on digital platforms.

Yet, we quickly forget this whenever we accuse the media of running so-called "sensational" headlines. We pretend to care about national unity, shouting about how the media is unpatriotic and unethical. However, our leaders have lost the moral authority to call anyone, including journalists, unethical. They have failed to inspire confidence and rarely earn the respect they demand. Instead of criticizing the media, they should accept the consequences of the culture they have cultivated.

Leaders misbehave in churches, on car rooftops, online, in bedrooms, boardrooms, and schools—often in front of children—yet expect the media to sanitize their image.

They attempt to intimidate the press, spread misinformation, and create propaganda against journalists, while the real crimes they commit against Kenyans go unpunished. They only pretend to be outraged when the media holds up a mirror to their actions. But the mirror does not change your reflection, it only reveals the truth. These leaders have lost the moral ground to lecture anyone, including the media.

The level of impunity and insincerity in this country is alarming. Without serious intervention, we may regret it. A nation easily slips into anarchy when extreme positions are taken on national issues, leaders publicly insult each other, and the public, having lost patience and direction, begins engaging in toxic and dangerous rhetoric, both online and in the media. The youth are the most affected, left without role models and traumatized by the immaturity and moral decay displayed by adults in leadership.

Looking at the venom spewed by Kenyans online, in churches, bedrooms, and boardrooms, it is laughable to single out media headlines as the primary concern. While it is convenient to blame the media for perpetuating violence, the ongoing lack of decorum, hate speech, and angry online exchanges, especially among political leaders, deserves greater scrutiny. Whether the issues at hand are mundane or serious national concerns, the hostility displayed online should not be ignored. 

One major lesson from Kenya is that the lack of morals and values is primarily an elite problem. It is the elites who are the most tribal, and the words and expressions they use online are dangerously divisive. These elites, who have access to media platforms, pretend to be objective while promoting their own interests. Their tribal biases emerge when resources or jobs are at stake, and their anger manifests in reckless online discourse, all under the guise of freedom of expression.

The media plays a crucial role in holding governments accountable, forcing them to explain their actions and decisions, all of which impact the people they represent. In a democratic society, people must have access to all relevant information to make informed decisions. The media serves as the vehicle for disseminating such information, benefiting not just Kenyans today, but also future generations. 

Mr Victor Bwire is the Head of Media Development and Strategy at the Media Council of Kenya.