Effects of Liberalization of Airwaves on Media Indigenization, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Kenya

Abstract

Since independence, Kenya media airwaves were monopolized by KBC, a fully state-run/owned radio and TV media outfit. A few foreign stations which were highly controlled and strictly monitored by government were allowed to broadcast. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Kenyan airwaves experienced liberalization as multi- party politics gained ground. Since then, the Kenyan media has experienced exponential growth since the airwaves were liberalized and freed. consequently, liberalization and indigenization have grown full circle. The internet has also contributed greatly to the expansion of media space and freedom. This study seeks to determine the effect of liberation of airwaves on indigenization of the Kenyan media and its overall effect on entrepreneurship and innovation in Kenya. It investigates the nature and characteristics of the indigenization process of the Kenyan media, the extent of indigenization, challenges of indigenized media as well as shortcomings and proposes a way forward in order to achieve strategic indigenization in order to grow entrepreneurship and innovation. Data was collected for a period of one year between 2018-2019 from private and public owned media houses on print and broadcast media. Library and archival research were applied in data collection. Observation of traditional and modern media trends was made while content analysis was applied to determine nature, characteristics and extent of indigenization and effects of a liberalized media in relation to indigenization, entrepreneurship and innovation. The theory of press freedom and liberalism was used to account for effects of liberalization on indigenization. Social responsibility theory was applied to explain the challenges of a liberalized media while Entrepreneurship theories were applied to account for entrepreneurial issues. The paper observes that despite the challenges faced in a liberalized media space such as unethical conduct, loss of gatekeeping, lack of professionalism, proliferation of radio stations, liberalization of airwaves has impacted positively to the rise of entrepreneural ventures in the media industry in Kenya and has largely promoted creativity and innovation. Generally, it has revolutionized the media sector at large. The paper proposes a way forward to an even greater expanded media that promotes entrepreneurship, professionalism and ethical journalism.