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

In Mlolongo at Liberty Children’s Home

The name ‘Nipe Sauti Africa’ is derived from the Swahili language which means ‘Give me a Voice Africa’. Swahili is the most spoken language in East and Central Africa and it’s the national and official languages of Kenya and Tanzania. Therefore the aim of Nipe Sauti Afri(k)a is to help give a voice to the voiceless by highlighting their plight and engaging volunteers and communities to help these people.

On 17th April 2016, Nipe Sauti Africa and Haba na Haba members joined hands and visited Liberty Children’s Home in Mlolongo. The event was organized by Haba na Haba and us as guest volunteers also participated. The two groups donated foodstuffs, clothes, cooked and engaged in mentorship programs.

Program

We engaged in song and dance with the children and then invited guest artists to perform. The locals formed a crowd that gathered around the children’s home to watch. Many were mesmerized by the ‘One Man Band’, the Soccer artist, guest musicians and poets who had been invited to the event.

A group of volunteers also helped in the kitchen to prepare different sorts of meals for the kids while another played soccer and team building games with the boys and girls.

After they had had their lunch, the children were invited to cut and share a cake before the event came to an end at 5pm. It was such a nice day.

 

Join us at Texas Cancer Centre

Nipe Sauti Africa Great Family, Join us to volunteer at Texas Cancer Centre situated at Hurligham Plaza this Saturday 11th June, 2016. The centre will be holding a cancer screening exercise in Kangemi/Westlands. There fore we have been requested to join them in this particular event.

We shall meet there at 8.20am and reach out. Those who don't know the place, we shall meet in Town, Kencom stage (opposite Hilton Hotel) at 7:30am.
What you need is just being there.We shall do cleaning and thereafter go to Kangemi to facilitate Cancer Screening Exercise. For more information or clarification call Duncan on 071380806 or Dennis on 0714764548.By 4pm we shall call it a day. See you there.God bless you,God bless NIPE SAUTI AFRICA

Also: Read free e-books on all topics today

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