Uchanganuzi wa Matini Zilizoteuliwa za Ugaidi katika Gazeti la Taifa Leo la Kenya kati ya Oktoba 2010 -Novemba 2011

Abstract

The media in Kenya and other parts of the world have been instrumental in giving the public information on terrorism. Language used by the media in reporting terrorism is important in presenting information on incidents of terrorism. However choice of language in some instances can have adverse effects on readers of news about terrorism including enmity, suspicion and negative attitude against certain communities and/orreligions. This research investigated discourse on national and international terrorism in Taifa Leo newspaper published in Kenya. The main objective was to analyze the discourse of texts used in reporting terrorism news in the newspaper. The specific objectives were to analyze choice of language used in reporting terrorism news; find out if the language used has indicators of bias; analyze its effect on the readers and assess how the editorial policy of the newspaper influenced the choice of language used in reporting terrorism. The research was guided by Critical Discourse Analysis theory as expounded by Teun van Dijk (1988), Norman Fairclough (1989) and Ruth Wodak (2001) . The research design was a blend of Document Analysis Research and Descriptive. Taifa Leo newspapers covering a period of one year from October 2010 to November 2011 were studied. Purposive sampling was employed so that only parts of the newspaper that had reports on terrorism were isolated and analyzed. Information on the opinion of readers about the news they receive about terrorism was also gathered and analyzed. A total of 419 readers were included in the study after a random selection from four major towns where circulation of Taifa Leo is highest;Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru and Mumias. This was a representation of the Coastal, Central, Rift Valley and Western regions of Kenya. Reporters who write on terrorism were also interviewed to get information on the editorial policy of the newspaper about terrorism. The news reporters were selected by saturated sampling-all those who write about terrorism were included in the study. Qualitative data was analyzed by assessing conversations, opinions, and interpreting readers' responses. Quantitative data has been presented in tables and percentile to show numbers affected by terrorism texts. The findings show that the language used in reporting terrorism news indicated bias. This has a negative effect on the readers of the paper. Disagreements often arise among- the readers as a result of terrorism news from the paper. There is also suspiscion among the readers as a result of the news they read. The editorial policy of Nation Media company contributes towards choice of language used in terrorism news published in Taifa Leo. This research has highlighted the need for caution in choice of language, news source and discourse access when reporting about terrorism. This can help reduce bias and negative effect on readers as a result of the bias. It can also contribute to a more positive and proactive way of looking at terrorism and thus help in the fight against terrorism. Enough knowledge on terrorism is an important step in the fight against terrorism and its effects.