Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1997
Abstract
Journalists in many African countries have long been caught between differing ideals i n their relationship between press and government. Two models vie for dominance-the western, libertarian and development journalism models. This article uses Walzer's (1983) theory of distributive justice to illuminate the ethical significance of this debate. A t issue is political power. A case study of the 1996 proposed press law i n Kenya illustrates the ethical arguments mounted for each press model and how the arguments are marshaled not necessarily for moral purposes but to gain political advantage. Finally, a viable third alternative avoids a false dilemma between the libertarian and development journalism models. Communitarianism preserves the independence from government SO central to the libertarian model while providing a basis for activist journalism.
Recommended Citation
Dixon, David N., "Press Law Debate in Kenya: Ethics as Political Power" (1997). Communication Educator Scholarship. 3.
https://mosaic.messiah.edu/com_ed/3
Included in
African Languages and Societies Commons, Communication Commons, Law and Politics Commons, Political Science Commons
Comments
Dixon, D. N. (1997). Press law debate in Kenya: Ethics as political power. Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 12(3), 171–182. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327728jmme1203_4