SIR: The killings of 150 students of Garissa university does not come as a surprise looking at the justifiable participation of Kenyan troops in the fight against Alshabab in Somalia. What surprises one was the shoddiness of the international media in their reports reports of the killings, especially the low profile the story was given just like the massacres in Bama and the Buni Yadi. These terrible reporting should be condemned by the entire world.
The professional independence of international media stations can now be questioned looking critically at how they showed their open bias on international happenings. The Israel-Palestine war last year witnessed one of the most controversial media coverage in modern television history. Many channels dedicated more than two days covering the story in order to clean up the mess the aggressor did in the war. For example, a United Kingdom newspaper just because of covering the war and its effects on Palestine fired its journalist as a fall guy. This is unprofessional and unacceptable.
It should also be recalled that the Denmark killing carried out by terrorist Brevic, some years ago, was given all day coverage. Is there any difference in the value placed on human lives? Media houses are sadly becoming agents of western propaganda. The BBC is British in its creation. CCTV is Chinese. Press TV is for Iran and VOA for America. But still, the stations are supposed to be professional and open in their approach to important global issue.
We stand with Kenya’s on this issue. I call on African countries to support each other in their quest for development. I call on Nigeria’s President-elect to bring back the ministry for Africa’s integration and cooperation. The AU should be strengthened to stand as a symbol for Africa’s interest projection and promotion.