Hate-speech on Radio and Vernacular Stations

Contrary to popular belief, hatespeech on radio is not just something that affects Kenya but is a global vice spread across an extensive array of demographics and geography. The element that seems to power up the hatespeech on radio even more is targeted rhetorts and responses especially on vernacular stations spread throughout the country.

In a recent radio survey report carried out by the Kenya Advertising Research Foundation and featured right here on Ghafla!, it was found out that a convincing 55% of the top radio stations in the country are vernacular. These are led by Inooro FM, Ramogi FM, Kameme FM, Musyi FM and Coro FM.

Click here to read more about that vernacular feature

It is no wonder then that influential personalities in Kenya find it prudent to take their vendettas to vernacular stations, which are massively popular, and misuse the airtime to fuel ethnic tensions and further individualistic agendas. Though the country has a literacy rate well over 75%, it is unfortunate that a vast majority succumb to political manipulations which evoke these kinds of emotions which frankly would not do Kenya as a whole any good.

Just this past weekend alone, a blogpost that found its way to social media circles caused some outrage as it came out that the lyrics to some vernacular music was in fact an attack on other communities or against specific individuals. While clearly stating that not all vernacular music is bad and that not all the members of the specific community are chauvinistic or archaic in their thinking, the writer saught to sensitize the public on this pertinent issue.

What motivates select radio stations to furnish these negative sentiments with airtime may vary widely from monetary benefit to in-house policies but the Media Council of Kenya has come out strongly against stations which condone hatespeech. For example, the Council admitted to receiving numerous complaints about FM stations and Coast-based publications which outrightly give hatespeech a forum.

During a two-day media workshop held in Mombasa last week for editors, the MCK said they had summoned the concerned media houses over the allegations but some confessed that they had no idea that such content was being broadcast on their frequencies. Whether or not what they say is true will remain for speculators and investigators to judge but the one certain thing is that as Kenyans we need to not just alter our mind sets but shun being at the whims of miscreant leaders.