SPEECH BY AMB. (DR.) AMINA C. MOHAMED, EGH, CAV, CABINET SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PREPARED FOR THE RE-LAUNCH OF THE STANDARD NEWSPAPER, NAIROBI – MARCH 28, 2017
Mr. Joe Mucheru, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communication,
Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, UNCTAD, Secretary General,
Mr. Sam Shollei, Standard Group Chief Executive Officer
Management and Staff of the Standard Group,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
- I am delighted to join you this evening for the re-launch of the Standard Newspaper. I congratulate you, Sam Shollei, and your entire Standard Group team, for the positive role you continue to play in informing, entertaining and educating our people.
- The Standard Group has taken lead in Kenya’s media industry by expanding the information space beyond print and television and making innovative use of the internet and online tools of communication to bring us news. In re-launching the Standard Newspaper to reflect modern dynamics in the media landscape, you are continuing to set the pace in providing information and promoting the interest of the public.
- I also congratulate Kenya’s fourth estate in its entirety for the continued cutting edge information and media contribution. This has transformed our country into one of the most open societies in the world today. The free flow of news and information is without doubt a key hallmark of a functioning democracy which: brings public concerns and voices into the open, releases the creative energies of a people, provides a platform for discussion and mobilizes the critical body of public opinion needed to steer public affairs in the right direction. Taken together, the role of the media is a positive force for development and prosperity.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
- From the point of view of international relations, the media can play an active role in development by promoting a country’s visibility thereby increasing investments as well as regional and international co-operation. This is especially so in our digital age where newspaper, broadcast and social media networks in any country are instantly available to millions of readers throughout the world. The media therefore has the reach needed to promote regional and international co-operation by providing information on available opportunities for cooperation and investment to global audiences.
- For this visibility to yield positive and enriching outcomes, care ought to be taken on the images projected of particular countries or parts of the world. News reports and analysis shape the opinions and perceptions of viewers and listeners across the world, much more now, than a decade ago.
- Two weeks ago, I spoke about the power of the story at the Oxford Business Forum-Africa. I will re-emphasise today what I emphasised then, “until the lion learns to write, all the stories will glorify the hunter.” I am proud that we have and continue to create powerful sources of news and information that are constantly retelling the Africa story and bringing pride to our people. For many years, negative stories and images conjured up a perception of Africa as a hopeless place. Today, we are rewriting the African narrative to correct false and injurious impressions created through negative reportage. Journalism is the first draft of history and what we write today becomes part of our history and ultimately, directs our identity. We must therefore use the talents of our reporters, writers, columnists, illustrators, bloggers and social media reporters, to educate, inform, entertain, and most of all, record our history − aspects which are to us identifying and sacrosanct.
- The freedom of the media is guaranteed by our Constitution. However it must be exercised judiciously. In addition to the hallowed tenets of objectivity, fairness and accuracy in reporting, the consideration of overall national interest, viewed both locally and internationally, should be part and parcel of the professional guidelines of our journalists. I therefore urge the media to embrace a policy that will ensure sensitivity to the image that we project internationally, of our country and continent, through our media content.
Thank you.
Amb. (Dr.) Amina Mohamed, EGH, CAV
CABINET SECRETARY
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
NAIROBI