Scholarly Journal of Science Research and Essay Vol. 5(6), pp. 117-123, December 2016 Available online http:// www.scholarly-journals.com/SJSRE ISSN 2315-6147 © 2016 Scholarly-Journals Full Length Research Paper Information sourcing and packaging in the Digital Era: A study of Radio Journalists in Western Kenya Winfred A.C Malala Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega, Kenya. E-mail: [email protected]. Accepted 19 September, 2016 The world is witnessing constant and rapid transformations in the media industry. These changes have been brought about by digitization, convergence and interactivity. With more sophisticated and varied functionality, internet access and mobile phones provide new interactive channels for a better informed and active global society. These developments affect the way journalists carry out their duties, leading to a great shift in the way news is sourced, packaged and accessed. This paper seeks to evaluate how digitalization impacts on the flow of information in terms of sourcing, packaging and selection of content which is instrumental for the public to make informed choices. The paper also interrogates the editorial, production and ethical challenges that radio journalists face in this digital era. The study was majorly informed by the Social Responsibility Theory and the Gate Keepers’ Theory. The study was conducted among news reporters, presenters, producers, editors and managers within Western Kenya. In this study, I used the qualitative research approach. Through stratified sampling I selected six radio stations: Radio Mambo, Citizen Radio, Mulembe FM, KBC Radio Taifa, MMUST FM and West FM according to type. Purposive sampling was applied in the selection of reporters, presenters, producers, editors and news room managers from the six radio stations. A sample population of 36 participants was found to be representative of radio journalists in Western Kenya who use digital means to source and package information. The data was generated through in-depth interviews, participant observation, informal conversations and content analysis. These tools adequately brought out the challenges of information sourcing and packaging in the digital era by radio journalists from their own perspectives. I analysed the data thematically by using recurrent and unusual themes that emerged from the collected data. The findings provided the status quo on the challenges faced by radio journalists in state, commercial and community radio stations. Among these challenges are multi-tasking, interrupted power supply, high cost of digital gadgets, lack of policy on the use of digital technology and interference by media owners. This study was significant as it yielded data and information that may help radio journalists and other media stakeholders to understand how digitalization has affected how radio news is sourced and packaged, thereby inform policy formulation. Key words: Information, Digital Era, journalism. INTRODUCTION Radio is the most effective way of communicating and cramped room. Today, journalists around the world use facilitating dialogue because it is instant and reaches a digital gadgets to source, package and disseminate wide variety of people. Radio stands out among other information. The use of digital technology is not only channels of the media due to its unique characteristics; it confined to journalists, but the audiences as well. This crosses the literacy barriers and is used as a background has in effect affected radio journalism. Kenya’s medium. The emergence of digitalization has changed communication sphere has not been left out. the face of radio all over the world. Digital technology has The use of internet, mobile phones and other digital reduced the once touted ‘global village’ into a tiny gadgets is an everyday activity in the Kenyan radio Scholarly J. Sci. Res. and Essay 118 industry. Digitalization is ingrained among radio can use to communicate and be informed. Radio journalists that it is now a norm. The rapid pace at which broadcasting in Kenya started in 1928 as a monopoly run the new hand-held technology has taken over our lives is by the government. Kenya Broadcasting Corporation unprecedented. Traditional media is left but to marvel at (KBC) was established in 1961 to replace the the expanded reach of the internet, now believed to be government controlled KBS (Kenya Broadcasting the new frontier in communication. No central Service). In July 1964, KBC was nationalized into VOK, a organization determines what goes onto the Internet, nor department in the then Ministry of Information and is there any sense of accountability to a mass audience Broadcasting. In 1989, VOK was changed back to KBC (Gilster, 1997). With so many positive uses and through the KBC Act, Cap. 211 (Laws of Kenya). As the applications of the digital technology, also come many public agitated for change due to what was seen to be negative aspects. As radio journalists shift from analogue government control of KBC and rigidity in allocation of to digital means to source, select and package frequencies, the government ceded ground and in 1989 information, they encounter challenges which are licensed KTN. Capital FM became the first privately addressed in this paper. owned radio station to be licensed in 1995. The liberalization of airwaves in Kenya that took place between 1996 and 1998 ended the monopoly of KBC. Background of the Study Kenya’s radio industry has had to re-invent itself owing to the dynamic nature of digital technology. KBC’s Globally, the radio industry has developed immensely management has had to contend with an exodus of its from the telegraph times to the current sub-marines, manpower that leaves service because of the draconian fibre-optic cables and high frequency radio that ensure rules and outdated equipment that have been in use. that the audience easily access unfolding global events at KBC relays on government grants to run and therefore the touch of a button on their mobile phones. This cannot compete favourably with the new and upcoming development has not been confined to the developed FM stations that are privately owned. countries alone but has spilled over international borders Turow and Tsui (2008) noted that radio has evolved to such that third world countries are beneficiaries of this the point where online platforms are now integrated and technology. The Kenyan radio industry has embraced necessary components of business. Mobile phones have digitalization. Technology has however come with many become computers in our palms and pockets that do not challenges to media practitioners and stakeholders. serve their primary role of making `telephone calls but are These challenges include: the need for reliable high used for accessing online communication, news, speed internet connectivity, high cost of digital equipment information and entertainment. The future of radio is thus hindering quick adoption, difficulties in censoring however jeopardized by pressure from proliferation of content overload and increased competition for interactive and mobile media. The radio communication listenership. Kenya’s audiences have access to diverse sphere indicates that power is shifting from journalistic media choices. Technological convergence has enabled institutions to the individual journalist. Through hyperlinks radio journalists to use on-line and mobile platforms for and hypertexts made possible by e-mail, blogs and other information sourcing and packaging. social media which are readily accessible on mobile The media industry is undergoing rapid and significant phones, consumers are gravitating to the work of change as personal, local, regional and national media individual writers and voices. spaces continue to be reconfigured. The way journalists Hausman et al (2007) concur with these views noting and audiences use media is changing along patterns of that the World Wide Web has turned the radio industry living in an information economy. The internet and mobile upside down. At the onset of WWW radio management phones are fast changing the face of radio. Since the viewed the web as a threat but many stations now view advent of digital technology, private, public and the online world as an exciting new opportunity. Today, community radio sectors in Kenya have embraced the mobile phones provide a very sophisticated platform for use of this technology, thereby transforming radio enhancing citizen participation in radio programming. immensely. Through use of the internet and mobile Through use of the internet and mobile phones, radio has phones, radio has now become more accessible to the become more interactive. Audiences are now able to audience through platforms such as webcasting, mobile participate in live interviews during news bulletins, live streaming and podcasts. These have greatly changed the discussion shows, talk shows and debates through call- way news is gathered, produced, packaged and ins, opinion polls and SMS. disseminated to the audiences. Journalistic practices Interactive radio ably provides the public sphere that have too been affected. gives the audience and news makers a platform for free In Africa, television is too costly and is therefore discussion. This ensures expression of divergent views restricted to largely urban elite audiences. Most of the and dialogue on matters of public interest. By and large, people in the rural areas cannot afford the luxury of mobile phones and the internet