The Impact of Nairobi Diaries K24 Television Reality Show on the Youth; the Case of Undergraduate Students at the University of Nairobi

Abstract

Nairobi Diaries speaks of a reality television show that acts as a catalyst for culture and cultural text, which suggests of a particular way of life which is an emerging trend among the youths today. The study used Nairobi Diaries on K24 TV as an illustrative case to evaluate the influence of reality television shows on the youths at UoN. The study adopted a multiple methods of research design dominated by quantitative data and used Uses and gratification theory and Cultural globalisation theoretical frameworks to examine the interaction between reality shows and the youths. The study found that Nairobi Diaries had a natural understanding and familiarity that most reality shows had among the youths who watched the show. This was evidenced by a significant proportion of the youth that watched the television show and attributed its context to one that did not conform to societal norms. The study also found out that the reality shows had blurred scripted television, and there was a paradigm shift in the way TV shows were constantly changing and leaning more towards reality shows that are supposedly unscripted and popular with the youths. The study recommended remodeling of the format on Nairobi Diaries in form of African themes which are more attractive to all audiences. Besides, airing the show online was proposed, as well as use of subtitles where Swahili/ Sheng’ was used for a wider audience. The study concluded that the impact of Nairobi Diaries K24 reality show on the youth; the case of undergraduate students at UoN, was inconclusive. However, youths still considered the reality shows to be a punch line in their day to day lives with a goal to normalise it.