Wow, Caroline Mutoko hit a raw nerve with some Social Media gurus on her piece which is still not yet online by the time of writing this. So I have to give you a link of a scanned version here. Caroline made some valid points but sometime good stories get lost in the language used. The central point of the piece is the hate speech and how it is being spread on Social Media. After reading it twice , I realized that there could be two possible conclusions made out of that story. and that is the reason why the reactions about it was in twos..those for Caroline, basically agreeing with her and others against her points, especially the language used. Somebody who saw it the same way, following the reactions of people on twitter is @Mwirigi. On twitter:
Mwirigi Bobby : Are there two versions of Mutoko’s post? Coz yenyewe…
One Side of the Story
If for a second people put their emotions a side, then you would realize that Kenya is at a crossroad, full of angry people. And Politics in particular bring out the worst in some Kenyans . I still don’t get it with tribalism. It is like a cancer eating Kenyans a live. As Mutoko noted venom coming from some Kenyans online is unbelievable. Worst still, all that come because of some people who do not give a damn whether you have food on your table or not. The more I look at it the more I see that Moi was right when he used to tell people that having a minister from your community will not add any sufuria of ugali on your table. Well Moi was/is hated figure, so that might not make sense to some people but for real, i think he had a point. In my adult life, I have never seen anything useful to talk about in Kenya from Kenyan politicians. It is the same reason why i don’t understand when people go ballistic because of a politician. If only Kenyans would passionate about nation Building the way they are when comes to politicians from their communities, then we would not be talking about vision 2030 but vision 2000.
I agree with Caroline on the hate speech although I don’t think it is only an online problem.. Kenyans online are just a perfect sample of their offline versions, the only difference being that online you can trace their thoughts . The offline versions discuss the same on their mother tongues . Believe me the offline versions are worst.
The other side of the story
Caroline is disappointed at the venom coming from Facebook but when I look at her language I don’t see the difference. Calling people numbskulls and idiots can as well pass as hate speech on its own. Caroline should realize that her article instantly became online vs offline, and one can argue that she was inciting Offline against Online.
Then the wrong facts on the article. To start with people on Facebook are not Anonymous, to join Facebook one has to use his /her email address or phone number with real names. If you are looking for real people with real identity go to Facebook or Linkedin. Caroline was probably talking about the world of Blogosphere or twitter, where some people use aliases or fake names. But am not sure, probably Caroline think that Facebook is another name for Internet or Social Media. So let just say that what people said on the Facbook Media pages can be traced directly to the people who said them.
Talking of the Media houses, I got bored with the way they framed the narratives on the run up to the ICC ruling. At one point you would have thought the violence was going to breakup immediately the ICC announced their ruling. What was the reason for posting the reporters In Eldoret, in Gatundu, in Nandi, mmmh nobody was posted around North Eastern..(or where does Ali come from?). At this point I might not be that wrong in believing that Some Kenyans took cue from the Media Houses, Caroline Mutoko being a big shot in one of them. Caroline should start by advising the Media Houses to stop treating the ICC suspects as the heroes, and start concentrating on the victims of the PEV. How many front page articles focusing on IDPs have you seen on the Nation, Standard or Star? Compare that with numerous articles about ICC suspects and other Politicians..even from the Media House from which Caroline Mutoko is one of the decision makers?
Conclusions
For a minute let us all be sober and agree to disagree. Online is a perfect space for discussion, and presenting diverging views. It should never be me my way or highway. Calling people stupid or idiots, or any other misplaced adjective does not help anyone. But at the same time the words coming from some people’s mouths directed to other communities should be checked. One nation, one country, one people. And that does not mean we protect the thugs from our communities…..think about it!!!
Thank you for your balanced outlook! I read through the article and pretty much came to the same conclusions which you have articulately put out.
My best line: >>>”What was the reason for posting the reporters In Eldoret, in Gatundu, in Nandi, mmmh nobody was posted around North Eastern..(or where does Ali come from?) ”
You’ve got it right bro. Ms. Mutoko is about to invite Mzalendo Kibunja on air to talk about our ‘social media madness.’ If only Mzalendo could place bugs in all our houses, offices and clothes and monitor what offline ordinary Kenyans talk about among themselves (especially our parents). The main dilemma is, should we silence the masses (that now have a public fora) or teach them how to communicate without insults? On this one, I urge Mutoko to take the front row seat of the class and not try to be the teacher.
And as Bill Gates said “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” Our media personalities, media monitors and political class might want to think about that.
My best line: >>>”What was the reason for posting the reporters In Eldoret, in Gatundu, in Nandi, mmmh nobody was posted around North Eastern..(or where does Ali come from?) ”
You’ve got it right bro. Ms. Mutoko is about to invite Mzalendo Kibunja on air to talk about our ‘social media madness.’ If only Mzalendo could place bugs in all our houses, offices and clothes and monitor what offline ordinary Kenyans talk about among themselves (especially our parents). The main dilemma is, should we silence the masses (that now have a public fora) or teach them how to communicate without insults? On this one, I urge Mutoko to take the front row seat of the class and not try to be the teacher.
And as Bill Gates said “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” Our media personalities, media monitors and political class might want to think about that.
This is a very balanced view of it all. Having read Mutoko’s article, I had to agree that except for that paragraph of “numbskulls” the whole article was quite introspective.
‘Facebook are not Anonymous, to join Facebook one has to use his /her
email address or phone number with real names. If you are looking for
real people with real identity go to Facebook or Linkedin’ Nothing could be further for the truth a phone number is NOT a requirement to join facebook, neither can facebook certify that those really are your names hence the countless cases personalities being impersonated even here in Kenya. Its appalling when a social media consultant can be so off on their area of specialty.
On a positive note i’m all for your conclusion
Reading this piece made me realize that there are open minded kenyans out there blogging logic thanks to the internet or social media. If i may say thanks to caroline Mutoko for now we know what we are dealing with especially the voice behind the mike ain’t everything it sounds or speaks. But one statement that i disagree with (that being my opinion) is when you say “Caroline was probably talking about the world of Blogosphere or twitter, where some people use aliases or fake names”. That is so untrue, even facebook sees the same light, what says the names represent the real character?
Both Alai and Mutoko had valid points, but like you said, poor delivery. Once you put emotions before the message, you distort it.
I agree, Facebook can not authenticate the user names used by the individuals but the way Facebook is designed, where both sides need to approve friendship, reduces the fakeness. You are right, impersonation on Facebook is a problem although not on the same level as Twitter. There is a stark difference if you look at the people commenting on Media Houses Facebook pages, from the ones on their websites. I believe most of the people commenting on Facebook are using their real identities and can be traced easily, the same can not be said of those commenting on Nation.co.ke or Mashada.com or the user name you have used here for example.
Talking about Twitter, people tend to keep it civilized on Twitter… I guess, may be because the number of subscribers is still down compared to that on Facebook.
You guys are right on Facebook having fake identities but I think the number is low, more so in Kenya
At that time every time you turn on TV or look Newspapers you see things like “Kenyans are anxiously waiting or tension in Kenya’ then you look back yourself wonder which Kenyans are they talking about. You could say exactly that for the accused plus the members of their families but the whole Kenya! The last time there was a court case in Kenya involving a politician like Ruto, or Saitoti, I did not see the same narratives from the Media Houses. I hope people like Caroline see the sense that Media houses contribute so much on the so called tensions and the eventual madness on Facebook.
Yes the Language…the language..
well said
Spot on!