The Role of Broadcast Media on the Mitigation of Economic Crimes in Public Management in Africa: a Case Study of Kenya

Abstract

Corruption is an age-old social problem that is endemic to governments, individuals, companies, institutions, and nations globally. It is thriving despite the continuous efforts that have been sustained by various nations to curb it. Corruption is viewed as both an ethical and legal problem that has stifled growth in many countries. The main objective of this study was to establish the Role of Broadcast Media in Mitigating Corruption in Public Economic Management in Africa. Specifically; to critically assess the role that broadcast media plays in the mitigation of corruption in Kenya; to analyse the challenges faced by broadcast media in the coverage of corruption in Kenya and to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies used by broadcast media in the fight against corruption in Kenya. The study was guided by Agenda Setting Theory in Mass Communication. This study adopted both secondary and primary research designs. The target population was 174 employees drawn from different media companies. The study adopted random and stratified random sampling techniques sampling the target population to 120 respondents. Both primary and secondary data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined over the course of this investigation by employing Cronbach's Alpha as the reliability measure of choice. According to the study, corruption is a sort of dishonesty or a crime committed by a person or group in a position of authority in order to obtain illegal benefits or exploit that position for one's own benefit. The report also revealed that the most significant difficulty confronting media companies is agenda shaping. The survey discovered that media companies frequently dealt with libel and defamation proceedings where the onus of evidence rested with the accuser and that many of them had to pay significant fines as a result. The study also revealed that it is not wise to promote corruption. The study's conclusion was that in order to raise public awareness, the media should keep informing the public and exposing corrupt practices. The study came to the conclusion that corruption is a sort of dishonesty or a crime committed by a person or group in a position of authority in order to obtain illegal benefits or misuse power for one's own profit. The study found that media outlets frequently dealt with libel and defamation proceedings where the onus of evidence rested with the accuser, and many of them had to pay significant fines as a result. Failure of the government to support and protect the media house and journalists has often been featured as some of the man challenges facing the broadcast media houses and outlets in Kenya. The study concluded that bribe is the most common type of corruption in the Government. According to the study, media companies should set up divisions dedicated to covering corruption. Since security is the biggest issue facing media companies, it is necessary to give investigative journalists and media companies in general proper security. This will improve journalist training and aid in the fight against corruption. The best way to cover corruption stories is through effective training. This may be accomplished by improving laws relating to media and security and by establishing a dedicated police unit to provide security to investigative journalists. Given the dearth of investigative journalists working for media companies, it is strongly advised that journalists receive training on how to manage and disclose corruption. There is a need for more investigative journalists to be employed; media companies should adopt cutting-edge technology to combat corruption effectively and efficiently; and to prevent being compromised while performing their duties, journalists should be provided with a good compensation package, risk allowances, and transportation conveniences.