ABSTRACT

Globally, there are growing demands on the news media to remain accountable to the public. This scenario arises mainly due to the empowerment of citizens and advances in technology. This article reports findings from a multiple case study that investigated how journalists from two Kenyan media houses are coping with the demands for media accountability. It specifically responds to two questions: How are media accountability policies and practices implemented in media houses in Kenya? What challenges face media accountability in Kenyan newsrooms? Data was generated through in-depth interviews with 16 journalists purposively selected from the newsrooms of the two media houses. It was analysed thematically and presented in narrative form. The findings show that although the media houses have various accountability policies and practices in place, their implementation is weak and inconsistent. Furthermore, a number of obstacles challenge efforts towards media accountability in the media houses, including institutional weaknesses and interference by vested interests. Consequently, the existing media accountability policies and practices have not improved the quality of journalism in the media houses. These findings imply that there is a need for well-negotiated, clearly documented and firm measures and incentives to encourage media organizations to invest in media accountability.

摘要

在全球范围内，新闻媒体对保持对公众负责的需求日益增长。这种情况的出现主要是由于公民的赋权和技术的进步。本文报道了来自多个案例研究的结果，该案例研究了肯尼亚两家媒体机构的记者如何应对媒体问责制的需求。它专门回答了两个问题：肯尼亚的媒体机构如何实施媒体问责政策和做法？肯尼亚新闻编辑部面临媒体问责制的哪些挑战？数据是通过对16家记者的深入采访而产生的，这些记者是故意从两家媒体公司的新闻编辑室中选出的。它进行了主题分析，并以叙述形式呈现。调查结果表明，尽管媒体机构制定了各种问责政策和做法，它们的实现是脆弱且不一致的。此外，许多障碍挑战着媒体机构在媒体问责制方面的努力，包括体制薄弱和既得利益者的干预。因此，现有的媒体责任制政策和实践并未提高媒体机构的新闻质量。这些发现表明，需要有经过充分谈判，明确记录和坚定的措施和激励措施，以鼓励媒体组织对媒体问责制进行投资。现有的媒体问责政策和做法并未提高媒体机构的新闻质量。这些发现表明，需要有经过充分谈判，明确记录和坚定的措施和激励措施，以鼓励媒体组织对媒体问责制进行投资。现有的媒体问责政策和做法并未提高媒体机构的新闻质量。这些发现表明，需要有经过充分谈判，明确记录和坚定的措施和激励措施，以鼓励媒体组织对媒体问责制进行投资。