A Study on Media Representation of Homosexuality in Modern Culture in Kenya
Abstract
This study sought to evaluate the portrayal of homosexuality by the Kenyan
media:The objectives of the study were: To find out how the media represents
homosexuality and how it affects the religious and postmodern beliefs on
homosexuality and how representation affects their perception and attitudes. The
study adapted a descriptive researcher design given that some of the variables
could not be measured but could only be described using descriptive statistic.
Stratified random sampling was done to get 220 from a target population of 420.
Questionnaires were used as a tool of collecting data. Questionnaires were
administered to religious pastor leaders, the gay community and the media staff to
gather information required for the study. The information collected was analyzed
using SPPS for cross tabulation and to generate frequencies and statistical graphs
for the interpretation of data. The findings were presented through tables and
charts for easy understanding. The findings showed that the media plays a role in
influencing people‟s perception, attitude and belief on homosexuality. Pastors
leaders felt that media representation of homosexuality affects their Christian
teachings on homosexuality that is wrong and sinful and they were not happy with
the way media represents homosexuality as normal while they felt homosexuality
is wrong and sinful. Most respondent from the church felt that they will not
change their position on homosexuality in future. Many respondents from the
churches are worried that the modern culture as it poses a threat to Christian
teachings and post modernism is to be blamed on the increase of homosexuality.
The media professionals felt that reporting on sexuality is done in accordance
with media ethics and part of their work to enlighten and inform the public on
what is happening, though many agreed that postmodernism was changing how
people perceived the gay community. There is also need for the concerned parties
and especially the churches to change the way they think about the homosexuality
and that the church should openly have discussions on homosexuality other than
avoiding it given that many young men are living in denial as gays. There is need
for the media houses to report responsibly to ensure that the youth are not given
content information that they cannot handle. There is need to integrate the gay
community and the normal communities by accepting them, if ever the
community needs to change them.
Publisher
University of Nairobi