The Liberalization of the Mass Media in Africa and its Impact on Indigenous Languages: The Case of Kiswahili in Kenya

Abstract

The end of the Cold-War has ushered in a new world order in the management of world affairs. Radio and television communication in Africa has not been spared by lhis post-cold-War wind of change. Citing the liberalization of the electronic media in Kenya, lhis paper shows how lhis process is likely to affect the utilization of African languages as tools of national integration and modernization. It is noted that the liberalization of the mass media in many sub-Saharan African countries has not been matched by policies that encourage the spread and full utilization of African indigenous languages. It is argued that the lack of media policy that favors African languages is likely to lead to low status for these languages and perpetuation of linguistic dependency. It is further argued that the non-use of African languages in the media is likely to militate against the achievement of the twin goals of national integration and modernization. It is concluded that media policy favorable to the spread and entrenchment of African languages is needed; such a policy ought to be linked to the overall national agenda.