Dear Jeff Koinange: Do you remember how Kenyans poured their hearts out for Esther Arunga?

Legendary talk show host Jeff Koinange has been wagging on people’s tongues ever since he announced he the return of his show on air on Citizen TV.

Twitter bigwig Leon Lidigu has written a open letter to Jeff Koinange remanding him of so many things including principles of journalism.

Read the letter below:

Dear Jeff Koinange,

Just like  many other Journalists including my dear  friend  Miss Njoki Chege  and I  believe , Journalism is not only beautiful  but sacred . Let’s not call a spade a big spoon . You are the ‘ biggest ‘ Journalist on TV right now and as your friend , I have decided to pen this down heartily perharps just remind you what you already know about Journalism .

Let’s start with the 5 core principles of Journalism  because I noticed most issues many people had with you from most conversations online and offline were symbiotically related to them . Don’t mind the twitter chokoras and Ksh 527 blogger wannabes who were channing damaging articles and even try telling you stuff that you didn’t know about yourself . You are a blessing to them because without you , they would have died of starvation . We all know the ‘ Kazi Kwa Vijana ‘ baba Abby  assured many young people was ‘ kalongolongo ‘ .

Truth and Accuracy

Journalists cannot always guarantee ‘truth’, but getting the facts right is the cardinal principle of journalism. We should always strive for accuracy, give all the relevant facts we have and ensure that they have been checked. When we cannot corroborate information we should say so.

Independence

Journalists must be independent voices; we should not act, formally or informally, on behalf of special interests whether political, corporate or cultural. We should declare to our editors – or the audience – any of our political affiliations, financial arrangements or other personal information that might constitute a conflict of interest.

Fairness and Impartiality

Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every side in every piece, stories should be balanced and add context. Objectivity is not always possible, and may not always be desirable (in the face for example of brutality or inhumanity), but impartial reporting builds trust and confidence.

Humanity

Journalists should do no harm. What we publish or broadcast may be hurtful, but we should be aware of the impact of our words and images on the lives of others.

Accountability

A sure sign of  professionalism is the ability to hold ourselves accountable. When we commit errors we must correct them and our expressions of regret must be sincere not cynical. We listen to the concerns of our audience. We may not change

If you don’t mind Jeff , I have been reading alot on Johanna Vehkoo, the literary editor at the Aamulehti newspaper in Finland and a Helsingin Sanomat-sponsored fellow, who  has written an extensive and very readable study examining the nature of quality journalism and how it can help to save  media.

In her research paper, entitled ‘What is Quality Journalism: and how can it be saved’, Johanna focuses on what needs to be done in terms of preserving quality content and making it better.She starts by examining how media experts have defined ‘quality journalism’, and concludes that journalism’s key role is to be an independent monitor of power and the servant of citizens.  But good journalism must also try ‘to make sense of the chaotic world around us.

It interprets, analyses, and strives to give meaning to all the babbling that’s going on’.Johanna interviews eleven key newspaper editors, journalists and media academics to get a sense of the role that quality journalism could and should play in the future of news, whatever platform it may be on. She concludes with seven detailed recommendations to save quality journalism, including ‘content must come before business models’, ‘journalists must specialise’, and ‘invest in quality’.

I personally learn everyday and take lessons from you and many other senior Journalists . It really sounded crazy when It dawned on me that Jeff was off TV . I know big online critics Nyakundi might have thrown a party at B-Club but in my opinion we are supposed to cultivate a culture of uplifting one another regardless of the situation.

Do you remember how Kenyans poured their hearts out for Esther Arunga? Some even wanted her to come back home and do it from Kenya. Am glad that now you are back , ready to take on more challenges and smoke them out . While at your new work place , please say hi to madam Farida Karoney for me , she has been my mentor ever since I joined campus and finished  a few years ago . Also tell miss Lilian Muli I have missed her and  I called her jana she didn’t pick up . Good to see you back Jeff ! Lastly in this election we need  a special type of Journalism .This is journalism that takes the public good as its driving principle, journalism aimed at providing citizens with accurate information so they can make informed decisions about their lives, journalism that exposes wrongdoing and gives voice to the voiceless. This sort of journalism holds to tenets of ethics, accuracy and social justice. And journalism of this sort lies at the heart of a functioning democracy. Always remember that most people know good Journalism when they see it .

Your friend,

@LeonLidigu