Media reporting of industrial wastewater issues in Kenya

Abstract

Scholars have acknowledged the public health risks associated with industrial wastewater. Kenya’s close to 5000 industries discharge large volumes of wastewater, but the authorities have barely enforced the law on industrial wastewater disposal and therefore neighborhoods remain exposed to the effects of poorly managed wastewater from the industries. This is an issue of public interest that public media should seek to highlight. This study investigated how Kenyan media, as a public watchdog, reported the issue of industrial wastewater and therefore whether media has been able to set the agenda. The study was guided by three main objectives: (a) How did the media cover the issue of industrial wastewater in Kenya between January 2010 and December 2014? (b) What are public perceptions of the issue of industrial wastewater and the media’s handling of the issue? (c) What is the link between public perception, government policy and media coverage of the issue of industrial wastewater in Kenya? The study employed a mixed methods approach, using content analysis for newspaper articles and survey study for public perception, and therefore the study generated both qualitative and quantitative data. The study found that Kenyan media reporting on issues of industrial wastewater was very infrequent, less detailed, and the articles were not so prominently displayed. Members of the public said they were unhappy with the media for not paying attention to the issue of industrial wastewater and most respondents said they no longer rely on traditional media for information on industrial wastewater. The public is frustrated with the authorities for failing to enforce the law on industrial wastewater disposal and the inability of the authorities to protect communities from harm. Since the public has opted to seek information elsewhere and not the traditional media, it is fair to argue that the media has failed to build the much-needed trust and confidence among its audience that would have enabled it to set the agenda on the issue of industrial wastewater. To win back the public and become effective on the issue, the media should increase the frequency of coverage, seek to display articles on industrial wastewater more prominently and do more to include the voices of the affected communities in their articles.