The Impact of Citizen Journalism on Gate keeping Process: A Case Study of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Television Mary Atieno Onyango K50/72266/2011 This Research Project is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Arts in Communication Studies in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Nairobi . November, 2013. DECLARATION I, Mary Atieno Onyango hereby declare that this Research Project is my original work and has not been submitted for any degree award to any other university or anywhere else for academic purposes. Signed…………………………… Date……………………… Mary Atieno Onyango Registration number – K50/72266/2011 This Research Project has been submitted for examination purposes with my approval as the University Supervisor. Signed…………………………… Date……………………… Mr. Michael Ochula, Lecturer School of Journalism University of Nairobi. i DEDICATION This Research Project is dedicated to my husband, Callisto; sons: Steve, Eric, Martin and daughters: Lilian, Liz and Irene, for their invaluable support and encouragement to finish this project. This Project is also dedicated to Elizabeth Kirkby, IAWRT member Australia, whose determination to pursue a PhD at the age of 80 inspired me to set foot in a classroom again. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank God for making all things possible. With the deepest gratitude, I would like to thank my supervisor Mr. Michael Ochula for his scholarly advise without which this Research Project could not have been completed. I would also like to thank the following: Venter Nkatha, the research assistant who collected data from the field. The lecturers and staff of the School of Journalism for their encouragement and support. I am sincerely grateful to Mr. Silas Oriaso and Mr. Sam Kamau for their valuable comments and insight that gave me impetus to continue. To interviewees from KBC who found time to be available for personal interviews and to answer questionnaires. Grace Githaiga for her inspiration and motivation. Finally, I am immensely thankful to the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT), for their financial support without which the project would not have been successfully completed. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION.......................................................................................................................i DEDICATION .........................................................................................................................ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................................................iv LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................... viii ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ..............................................................................ix ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. x CHAPTER ONE....................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 1.1Background to the Study .................................................................................................... 1 1.2Problem Statement ............................................................................................................ 8 1.3 Objectives of the Study...................................................................................................... 9 1.4 Research Questions ........................................................................................................... 9 1.5 Significance of the Study.................................................................................................. 10 1.6 Scope of the Study........................................................................................................... 11 1.7 Theoretical Framework.................................................................................................... 12 1.8 Definition of terms .......................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER TWO....................................................................................................................18 LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................................18 2.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 18 2.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................... 18 2.2 Citizen Journalism Concept .............................................................................................. 18 2.3 The Internet and citizen journalism practices................................................................... 22 Figure 2.2.Traditional News Process ....................................................................................30 CHAPTER THREE................................................................................................................38 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................................38 3.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 38 iv 3.1 Research Design .............................................................................................................. 38 3.2 Research Site ................................................................................................................... 39 3.3 Study Population ............................................................................................................. 39 3.4 Sampling Techniques ....................................................................................................... 39 3.4.1 Sample size............................................................................................................... 40 3.5 Research Instruments ...................................................................................................... 40 3.6 Data collection and Analysis ............................................................................................ 41 3.7 Data Presentation and Interpretation .............................................................................. 41 3.8 Ethical Issues ................................................................................................................... 41 CHAPTER FOUR ..................................................................................................................43 RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ...................................................................43 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 43 4.2 Research Findings ............................................................................................................ 43 4.2.1 Characteristics of the respondents............................................................................ 43 4.2.2 Impact of Citizen Journalism ..................................................................................... 44 4.3 Discussion of Findings...................................................................................................... 51 4.3.1 Elements of Citizen Journalism at KBC....................................................................... 51 4.3.2 Challenges presented by citizen journalism............................................................... 52 4.3.4 Effect of Citizen Journalism ....................................................................................... 53 CHAPTER FIVE ....................................................................................................................57 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .........................................57 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 57 5.2 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 57 5.3 Conclusion....................................................................................................................... 59 5.4 Recommendation ............................................................................................................ 61 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................63 Appendix A.............................................................................................................................69 Observation Checklist Guide .................................................................................................69 Appendix B .............................................................................................................................70