Role of Mainstream Media in Democratic Governance in the 21st Century: a Case Study of Kenya and Ghana.

Abstract

Globally the world has witnessed the effects of mainstream media in many areas. One of the most substantial effects was seen in the area of democratic governance. In both Kenya and Ghana, the media has been a passive passerby as the country grappled with fight against bad democracy which mainly are corruption scandals touching on elite politicians. This has been, perhaps, because the fourth estate has consistently has failed to realize the power of persuasion it possesses in regard to shaping public opinion. Democracy has been hampered greatly in the process and some government critics and activists have put the highest blame on mainstream media reporting as a fan of the nature of bad democracy that has rocked the nation. The general objective of the study was to evaluate the role of mainstream media in democratic governance in the 21st century in Kenya and Ghana. Specifically the study aimed to determine key functions of Mainstream media on democratic governance in Africa, evaluate unrestricted public debate function of mainstream media and assesses agenda setting function of mainstream media on democratic governance in the 21st century in Kenya and Ghana. The study used a descriptive research methodology and was based on liberal theory. Nation Media Group, Royal Media Services, Mediamax Network Ltd, Standard Group, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Daily Graphic, Adom TV, Hello FM, Goodnews FM, and Peace FM, British Broadcasting Corporation, and CNN Nairobi Bureau were among the organizations attacked. The target audience consisted of 36 senior executives from the selected media companies. Because the population was manageable, the researcher decided against sampling and instead used the census technique, in which a sample was chosen at random. Primary and secondary data were used by the researcher. Throughout the investigation, the researcher gathered qualitative data, which was then analyzed using content analysis and categorized into comparable themes. According to the findings, mainstream media plays a critical role in increasing globalization by allowing culture interchange and numerous flows of information and image across countries via worldwide news broadcasts. The data also demonstrate that the mainstream media provides the framework for democratic facilitation by promoting effective government, accountability, and active participation of civil society members. Finally the study eludes that mainstream media has shaped and will continue to play a central role in shaping Kenya‟s and Ghana democracy. The study concludes that the best and legitimate way of democratic governance is the one that listens to the public opinion being formed in the public sphere because the public sphere bridges the realms of the public and the private. Kenya's and Ghana's transition from developing to developed countries will be determined by the media's influence in the country. As a result, it is fair to conclude that the media has a mission to monitor government performance by honestly educating the public and exposing the evils that might jeopardize a state's growth perpetuated by a small group of leaders. According to the findings, the media should ensure that it has the capacity to reach different segments of society and inform the government about the needs that need to be addressed at various levels, as well as individual perceptions of democratic governance qualities, in order to ensure that the electorate's views are equally represented. As a result, the media's primary duty should be that of society's watch, the gatekeeper for public information, the facilitator and promotion of all viewpoints. All of century in Kenya and Ghana. Specifically the study aimed to determine key functions of Mainstream media on democratic governance in Africa, evaluate unrestricted public debate function of mainstream media and assesses agenda setting function of main stream media on democratic governance in the 21stcenturyinKenyaandGhana. The study used a descriptive research methodology and was based on liberal theory. Nation Media Group, Royal Media Services, Media max Network Ltd, Standard Group, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Daily Graphic, A dome TV, Hello FM, Good news FM, and Peace FM, British Broadcasting Corporation, and CNN Nairobi Bureau were among the organizations attacked. The target audience consisted of 36 senior executives from the selected media companies. Because the population was manageable, the researcher decided against sampling and instead used the censustechnique, inwhich a sample waschosen atrandom. Primaryand secondarydatawere used bythe researcher. Throughout the investigation, the researcher gathered qualitative data, which wasthen analyzed using content an alys is and categorized into comparable themes. According to the findings, mainstream media plays a critical role in increasing globalization by allowing culture interchange and numerous flows of information and image across countries via worldwide news broad casts. The data also demonstrate that the main stream media provides the framework for democratic facilitation by promoting effective government, accountability, and active participation of civil society members. Finally the study eludes that mainstream media has shaped and will continue to play a central role in shaping Kenya's and Ghana democracy. .............