By Derrick Odhiambo 
In the United States, President Donald Trump has continued to show his improper reactions towards various members of the fourth estate using his so called “fake news ” chants whenever something is reported or questioned against him. It’s now a norm to have an ugly turn taking between Trump and a journalist in the white house or at a press conference. What makes it worse is how the president usually requests for a media station identity whenever he get upset, simply by being questioned something he doesn’t agree on, then brands the station as fake news agent.
Just a week ago, a large media conglomerate in Uganda, Nation Media Group was shut down by the Ugandan government under the action of the military chief, Gen. Muhozi who is also President Yoweri Museveni’s son. This happened after a station under this company made a short report analyzing recent and previous controversial online actions done by Gen. Muhozi.
Attacks on the Press
In Kenya, President William Ruto appeared to launch his attacks on the press particularly the Standard Group, after a report was done showing some of unachieved promises he made. He appeared to make serious and emotional messages on X formerly twitter as he identified an unnamed figure who he claimed was controlling the media group and oversaw the production. This happened just a few weeks after the same media outlet was stopped from accessing a certain government’s premises was to be covered.
Here are two examples of tweets President Ruto posted recently:
The "Tanzanian way"
This further escalated to the extent of the president’s party, the United Democratic Alliance making improper statements against various media professionals in the country, at a media briefing. Through its secretary general, the party accused various news editors of spreading propaganda, something which they didn’t prove to be factual.
Internet, which is an important tool, used by the media; both mainstream and digital, was temporarily shut down by Tanzania and Iran on different occasions during national protests, denying the public an access to fast hand and accurate information.
Identifying loopholes
The fourth estate and governments should be working in a way that tends to promote freedom of access to information which is part of a democracy. Media entities are not expected to only report positive things about regimes and are also not expected to be ruled on how to criticize them. Through the media critics, a regime is able to identify its loopholes. Thus, a good regime will react by taking responsive action towards a certain critic. A reaction which ensures a negative happening will not happen again, and ensure that only positive facts appears for the public.
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