Abstract

Media accountability has attracted the interest of journalism scholars, media managers and policy makers as the debate grows on how to ensure a free and accountable media. However, media accountability is rarely studied beyond the theoretical and academic debate, especially in many parts of Africa. This article presents the findings of an investigation into media accountability policies and practices at two newsrooms in Kenya. Data came from document analysis and face-to-face interviews with various cadres of journalists and media managers of the newspapers. A range of policies and practices for media accountability guide the journalism at the newsrooms. The editorial policy and other ad hoc policies, routine gate-keeping processes, internal editorial evaluations and capacity-building processes are used to ensure quality and professionalism. The newsrooms also have various practices designed for dialogue and interaction with members of the public. However, media accountability is hampered by a weak professional culture; the dominance of commercial values; and deep ethnic and political fissures in the country. The management of the newsrooms should be encouraged to invest in media accountability as a moral obligation to society and to justify their quest for autonomy and independence from political and economic pressures.

摘要

随着关于如何确保自由和负责任的媒体的辩论越来越激烈，媒体问责制吸引了新闻学者、媒体管理者和政策制定者的兴趣。然而，除了理论和学术辩论之外，很少对媒体问责制进行研究，特别是在非洲的许多地区。本文介绍了肯尼亚两家新闻编辑室对媒体问责政策和做法的调查结果。数据来自文件分析和对各报社记者干部和媒体经理的面对面采访。一系列媒体问责政策和实践指导新闻编辑室的新闻工作。编辑政策和其他特别政策、例行把关流程、内部编辑评估和能力建设流程用于确保质量和专业性。新闻编辑室也有各种为与公众对话和互动而设计的做法。然而，媒体问责制受到薄弱的专业文化的阻碍；商业价值的主导地位；以及该国深刻的种族和政治分歧。应鼓励新闻编辑室的管理层投资于媒体问责，将其作为对社会的道德义务，并证明他们对自治和独立于政治和经济压力的追求是合理的。