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{
    "id": 1165262,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1165262/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 68,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherargei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity. Media freedom has come a long way. Part of the well-celebrated 2010 Constitution is media freedom that is enshrined under Articles 34 and 35 of the Constitution of Kenya. Radio plays a critical role and now they have gone online. It is digital; you can listen in. I agree it has more coverage than individuals. All of us in the political arena appreciate the fact that radio is a more useful tool because it can be used to disseminate information. Therefore, I want to thank and appreciate Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve. Yesterday, I was reading an article called ‘The Whispers’ by this famous journalist who died in 2003 called Wahome Mutahi. Way back in late 1980s, he was arrested by the then Government because it was against media freedom. He used to use satire to critique the Government of the day and pass the message to the people. Media by and large is very critical, more so the radio. The radio stations that we have nowadays have a lot of media freedom. We have vernacular stations. I do not know whether it will increase issues of tribal aspirations. Nowadays we have Ghetto Radio station that speaks street language. We have the mainstream radio stations that have always been there. As we approach the general elections, we request that Commission Authority of Kenya (CAK) to be on the lookout to ensure nobody uses radio to spread hate or incite Kenyans against each other. Radio stations should play a critical role by ensuring that they call out Kenyans to vote and participate in their civic duty and also to remain peaceful. Secondly is on the aspect of our artists. About 60 or 70 per cent of the radio programs we have depend largely on the music. I agree with my brother when he said that at least 60 per cent should be local content. When you switch on the radio or watch television, you either have to listen to foreign music or watch foreign Mexican soap operas or Nigerian movies but there is no local content. The only way to create opportunities and ensure young people are engaged, is by coming up with 60 per cent local content. I know that media practitioners be it in radio stations, television and online networks will ask where they will get the 60 per cent local content to air. Where will they get the local telenovelas? There is a television channel called Maisha Magic East on Digital Satellite Television (DSTV). It broadcasts local content mostly although it also airs Eastern African movies. This is what we should encourage so that young people who go to Kenya Cinema to practice and studios to record their music can benefit. It is unfortunate that when you want to listen to music and turn on the television or radio, the music that you are likely to hear is from either Europe, America, Nigeria or Tanzania, our neighbors, who have good music. Kenyan music can be improved. Most people listen to bongo flava when we have Kenyan music genres like genge and ghetto. I know Sen. Ngugi is familiar with this because most likely on Fridays he listens to these genres when he is on ‘ raverend’."
}