PROFESSIONALISM IN JOURNALISM, THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY DILEMMA

It is a known fact that journalists collect, write, or distributes news or other current information. It is this work that qualifies to be a journalist. This is s profession that sees the society through digital lens, magnifies the situation and sometimes the situation magnifies the profession. There are those who specialize in reporting specific issues in the society and those who are general in what they do.

Journalists have a great power to direct the general thinking of the populace in a particular direction. It is this power that journalism has that needs to be guarded at all costs. One may ask what happens if the journalist who interview participants on sensitive investigative issues disappear or the information is destroyed and warned to keep off. These among other threats have significantly affected the profession to the extent that they are compromised in the course of their duty to do like the “master” please.

In Kenya, it is almost a culture that the elite controls the media. We see them being issued with threats and sometimes denied coverage of some events. The government may wish to censure media which may come with its advantage and disadvantages. However, if the intention is good, then we hope to see changes that are much needed in quality reporting. On the other hand, if a journalist’s intention is not right, we may see a profession that is subjected to unreasonable laws that may gag the media into doing what they are supposed to do.

It is high time that those who wish to join this profession build themselves to brace up with the emerging challenges in the media fraternity. We need journalists with high integrity, who do not use information gathered to issue threats and enrich themselves, but to serve the society by letting them know what is happening around them. It is these endeavors that should cloud minds of young minds that are groomed to take over the duties of journalism. We hope that clubs in schools will offer students with the necessary skills that are required to make them competent in the field.

The fate of future journalism will be in safe hands if “journalism” gives just the exact and accurate information that is given out without necessarily adding speculations and comments that are not justifiable. Bloggers should be aware that they need to do quality jobs. If journalism is made more professional, then we will see lesser, and minor complaints from the parties that feel offended by media.

Authors:

Duncan Mnyogha & Dennis Nangabo

Join us & Volunteer at Texas

Save the date, this Saturday 23rd of July 2016, Nipe Sauti Africa ambassadors will be volunteering at Texas Cancer Centre along Mbagathi road in Nairobi. 

You are all welcomed to join us and be part of our globally growing family of volunteers. 
The program shall take 3 hours and 20 minutes. It will start at 9:40 am and end at 12:00 noon. Your 3 hours shall be much appreciated. Join this team, meet new members, widen your connection and network and let somebody benefit from your service. God bless you! Allah bless you!

Directions:
From Nairobi CBD, board a 'matatu' at Bus Station (near Afya Centre) that head for Strathmore, Ngumo (through Nyayo Stadium) or Mbagathi rd. Alight at Texas near Shell Petrol Station.

From T-Mall, walk 200 metres along Mbagathi rd, Texas Cancer Centre is on the right past the petrol station. Note: this is opposite Jonathan Gloag

See you there!


Contact Persons:
Nangabo 0714 764548
Trizah 0723 252005
Mnyogha 0711 380806

BE REAL

They say it's darkest before dawn. I would like to tell you a story that I was told by a friend who was told by a friend  told by another."At the crack of dawn, the sun opens its eyes and it's dark....it is afraid of the dark too that  the more it raises the darkness goes away..." There, problem solved.

Now, I don't know how to put this across in a way that it doesn't sound like a cliche 'Be real, be yourself'.

Life gets messy sometimes, the going gets tough and tougher; Love gone sour,relationship and marriages issues, businesses ain't working right, loneliness, failure, demands and disappointments, sick,losing loved ones, just to mention but a few. 

 It is true, life gets messy but to all us, you not exceptional.

Some people gather strength and face their issues. I want to tell you that turning a blind eye on your issues won't help you neither will breaking down and crying do.

Pretending and being  unreal regarding your problem only worsens the situation.

Stop hiding behind that makeup, that bottle of beer, and behind that lie that  you have created in your mind.

Why am I telling you all these stories you might even forget where I started. The point is life won't be fair just because you are unrealistic reality will eventually slap you hard  in the face.

Start today open your eyes because inside you there is a solution. The first step to recovery is acceptance. Asking for help  doesn't mean you are a failure. Life is aGod's given gift.  Always be determine in cultivating your life because growth is a journey. Start now.

Be real, be yourself.

Author: Anne Muisyo

Do Environmental Factors Affect Our Personality Types?

Where someone resides greatly affects personality type. Nobody can live in a vacuum, and that is where we begin to learn and unlearn some things depending on the culture and values that are exercised. Environment establishes attitudes, norms, values and perceptions to a person. Traditions and cultures get imprinted into the person making them comprehend for example different senses of what is wrong and what is right. Therefore it should be noted that family, school, place of work and friends among others play a role in determining personality type.

The social environment has been emphasized a lot in personality development by psychologists to mention Erich Fromm & Kazimierz Dabrowski. It is said that intuition plus personal experience greatly verify need of social environment in personal development.

Theories tell us that we largely are a sum of circumstances subjected upon us. Yes, genetics determine personality traits, up to a certain degree, but it should be noted that people do change so as to adapt to immediate needs they are placed on. These needs or demands are dynamic and could fall under financial, emotional, social and or physical needs but not limited to these alone. Regardless, quality and types of people an individual is surrounded with will be a great determinant on how they choose to meet the confronted needs. The reason is because, an individual do not have a context outside own inner impressions, thus will seek to draw their past impressions and experiences of how others met those confronting needs successfully. What this informs us is that decisions we make are directed in relation to things we learned and lesson therein which are always due to circumstances  faced and people knew that far. This affirms the reason why we internally justify actions we take and boldly satisfy desires through those means we emulate.

Also, it is argued that opinions we make are formed by impressions of others’ opinions. This is so because whenever we think that a person satiates desire we experience, psychologically we justify imitating behaviors they demonstrate. This social environment factor is double edged sword. On one hand, values we assume get dictated to us by societal norms and then our ideas into assuming those values is internalized based on impressions of people we choose to emulate.

To further explain how the environment may inform actual actions a person may undertake, consider this practical example. Imagine, a young boy seeing a man driving a nice and expensive sports car. The machine is “cool” and this impression is positive due to initial childhood experiences of the young boy. When the young boy meets people, he or she may explain how “cool” one will be if they become wealthy by being able to own such wonderful luxurious cars. The youngster will make it his own initiative, that to lead a successful and happy life he needs to be wealthy. The decisions that would steer the boy or girl’s life would be oriented around that goal making life to have specific desires. Notice that the boy is destined to become wealthy in his mind. However, influences of people who are around him have the power to dictate the way he would try to fulfill the objective even though it may still vary significantly with change on people he surrounds himself with. If the child comes from a poor neighborhood, actions such as selling drugs would be a way of achieving his objective, or rap music if people around there do that. On the other hand, if the boy comes from a rich neighborhood, he may choose a good career path advised by the parents as well as adults the big looks up to achieve his objectives towards leading a good life.

It should be acknowledged that individuals do have highest and attainable levels of personal development. Surprisingly, we fail most of the time in transcending the influences of the social environment in a bid to achieving true autonomy, enlightenment, and self-actualization. Positive or negative events in life trigger self-reflection on personal development matters. A person may be forced to progress because inner turmoil is unbearable as a result of repeated mistakes.

Environment matters! Surround yourself with the right people.

TUPEANE SAUTI

Author: Duncan Mnyogha

A HOME OF LOVE

A day like no other spend in a productive way is when you manage to see the sincere smile and laughter on the face of the less fortunate. They say its the little things that people do that matter the most, it's true.

Anne M. Muisyo

A cold rainy day at Langata Charity Missionary Center. I got there late though, joining Nipesauti Africa colleagues. Sarah, Diana and Susan are among the friends I made this day. Susan and 46 others are so excited to see us. They are so excited at the songs we sing and they laugh out loud. Thrilled despite being  restricted  to their wheelchairs some of them try to jump and clap. Looking at them can't help but see the sense of belonging, in fact, they are a family. My new friend Susan doesn't like her name " Susan si jina poa" she says. We chat a little and she is enchanting loves gospel music mostly Gloria Muliro's.

They all sing along the songs we sing and the laughter gets infectious.
We leave at 1am but a lot is in my mind and heart. Their warm welcome,
 constantly saying 'karibu', others asking when we will visit next and most importantly there sincerity and warmth in their laughter and hugs.
Charity missionary center Langata a kempt and peaceful place is the home for Susan,Sarah, Diana and the rest. A home of love and care.

By: Anne M. Muisyo

Experiences as told by a Volunteer

MY EXPERIENCE AT THE MISSIONARY OF CHARITY CENTRE LANGATA

My name is Mandela. Unlike other days, I woke up earlier than usual. My Bible was still in bed with me- at the same place I had left it the previous night. I scanned my eyes through the pages before my eyes rested on the book of 1st Peter 4:8 (KJV) ‘And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.’ "Is God speaking to me?" I thought out loudly. I realized that charity which is love covers very many sins. Man is fallible to sin. We can, therefore, erase these sins through acts of love or charity.  I want to share a story. I have organized and attended very many charity events. However I have found contentment and peace on the events I share stories, I do service or play.

Author: Mandela C Sangura

KITUI 
In March, I visited St Michaels' Primary School for the deaf school Kitui County. I learnt basic sign language but the problem came when we went for games. It took me time to adapt but the fun part was during the celebration, the screaming and the gestures involved.  The joy you see when they scored a goal could not be compared to the joy I had when I graduated. I wish I could clarify happiness, big or small.

MISSIONARY OF CHARITY
On 30th May, the Nipe Sauti Africa team visited the Missionary of Charity Centre in Langata. It was raining, but we had to attend the event. We were a group of 10 members including a 6yr and an 11yr old. We arrived at the centre at exactly 9:00am. The centre is located in the suburban of Nairobi City, Langata Constituency. It takes care of many handicapped people. I have been at this centre 4 times. The last time I assisted in the splitting firewood and kitchen chores.  I have never participated in the feeding. Because of the rains, there was little to do. The clothes had been washed, no splitting of firewood and a team that had been there and already cooked.

The dilemma was what would Nipe Sauti do? Only feeding? We were ready. We played games; Jump Rope/rope skipping we call it KATII. Some of the children joined us. It was fun because I could not even skip the rope 5 times while one of the disabled was able to skip more than ten times. They clapped happily as they cheered one of their own. When we realised they can clap happily we started singing. I was astonished to know that they knew a few Luhyia gospel songs. I sang my voice hoarse. You could think it was a competition. My prize was the happiness and joy they portrayed.  Some were struggling to clap, I went around helping them clap their hands. Some were just hitting their chairs using their backs. You could think it is painful but it was not. We sang until I could not lead anymore.

The most interesting part was feeding them. It was tough as what they did was smile, scream or shout. I picked one who had not shown any sign of screaming or clapping. She was totally handicapped. She could not move or talk. She was born like that. At first, I wanted to cry. I felt the pain and the disability. Born like that! I asked God within my heart, "How could you be unfair to them?" They could not move or feed themselves. The girl I was feeding could not chew her food. I felt like crying.

Next to me was Sister Emirata a Rwandese citizen. She could not communicate in Swahili. She told me that the kid I was feeding was called Nancy and that the children at that centre had a way of communicating to each other. They only understood each other. Whenever I did the wrong thing, Nancy's friend; Ann, corrected me. Sister Emirata was feeding Ann while I was feeding Nancy.

There are many things I have learnt and am a different person today. I will never forget my experience with Nancy and Ann. When you visit this centre at Langata pass my greetings to them.

Author:Mandela C Sangura
Edited by: Mwl. Nangabo

Will YOU be the hope for these Children?

"For every noble thing you do, the Lord shall double the blessings He intended for you," Anonymous.

Will YOU be the hope for these Children?

On 21st May, 2016- this Saturday Nipe Sauti Africa shall visit Pillars of  Hope Children's Home in Kitengela. This is a chance for all of us to reach out to the society.
Kindly get in touch with Nipe Sauti Africa to volunteer in this event.

"We are working with friends from different groups and organizations. You can carry anything important or useful to kids. The Children's home is made up of kids up-to age 15 years. We shall meet in Town at Railways Stage at exactly 8:00am. Incase of anything feel free to contact me.  Remember to tag at-least 2 friends."
Mandela on 0702741898