Radio Ramogi is a vernacular FM radio station in Kenya that has played a significant role in the country's media landscape, particularly during national elections. This article examines the history of Radio Ramogi and its involvement in peace-building interventions and election coverage, focusing on the presidential elections of 2007, 2012, and 2017.
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The Role of Radio Ramogi in Peace Building
The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the role of Ramogi Vernacular FM Radio Station and peace building interventions during conflicts arising from presidential elections during 2007, 2012 and 2017 presidential elections. Specifically, the study sought to determine whether Ramogi Vernacular FM Radio Stations used media interventions to communicate messages of peace building during presidential elections.
The finding showed that Peace building broadcasts geared towards cohesion was noticed but was unsatisfactorily rendered via FM media outlets during presidential elections.
Theoretical Framework
The study was guided by Agenda setting theory and Uses and Gratification theory.
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Research Methodology
The study used mixed method (triangulation) research design. Stratified and Simple Random sampling techniques were used to select the sample size of 384 respondents whereby 345 (89.8 percent) of the sample respondents returned questionnaires. Data for the study was collected by the use of questionnaires, interview schedules and document analysis.
Validity of questionnaires was achieved through consultation with supervisors while reliability of questionnaires was tested during piloting in Kisumu County. A split-half correlation test was conducted whereby a coefficient of +0.80 or greater is considered good internal consistency. Pearson's r for reliability of piloted data was +0.89 for educationists, and +0.82 for business fraternity which indicated good internal consistency.
Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics and presented using tables, bar charts and pie-charts. Qualitative data was thematically analyzed using NVIVO and presented through thematic narratives which involved identification and interpretation of patterns and themes whereby inferential statistics was used to gauge influence. Document analysis was used to generate literature review, and understanding policy guidelines on media station operations.
Radio Ramogi and Election Coverage
The researcher was prompted to find out the role of media particularly the community radio stations, if they really report election events like mobilization of voter registration, influence on choices of parties, holding opinion polls, candidate interviews, and party advertisements during national elections in Kenya.
The research was carried out with the following objectives which were to examine the media in the coverage of national elections in Kisumu District of Kenya. To analyze influence of media to the voters in making informed choices of parties and candidates they wish to support during elections. To find out the associate relationship between the media, Electoral Commission and the government of Kenya towards realization of free and fair election. And to determine constraints that face journalist during elections coverage in Kenya.
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The researcher used questionnaires and interview guides and after data was collected using tranquilization formulae which involved grouping different methods of collecting data which included structured interview using interview schedule, in-depth interview in form of interview guide, focused group discussion using discussion guide, questionnaires and observation.
The findings also indicates that media programs citizen participation programs that are inevitable since voters learn to bring politicians answerable to some issues of public interests. This is because voters ask specific questions which demand direct answers from their political candidates and since these contestants wish to be elected, they find themselves trapped to answer such questions during voters' participation election programs.
Table 1: Summary of Research Findings
| Area of Focus | Key Finding |
|---|---|
| Peace Building Broadcasts | Noticeable but unsatisfactorily rendered during presidential elections. |
| Citizen Participation Programs | Inevitable for voters to hold politicians accountable. |
| Media's Role in Elections | Reports on voter registration, influences party choices, conducts opinion polls, and holds candidate interviews. |
Source: Analysis of research data.
Community Radio Stations and Citizen-Journalism in Northern Kenya
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