digital migration

People should not be gullibly convinced that digital migration is jeopardizing any media personality or company in Kenya. The simple politics in it may make people believe that digital migration is a mountain we cannot climb. It all starts with a simple step; switching off the analogue and switching on the digital. Perhaps if Kenyans know this simplicity in this controversial matter, they might be in a position to really understand that there is no witch hunt on anyone and those in power are only making a mountain out of an anthill. 

It is very true that local content belongs to local audiences for free and that foreign televisions should not broadcast local content for money without he consent of local broadcasters but there is a hidden agenda that most Kenyans are shielded from knowing; Media owners benefit from adverts and their aim is not to inform rather than sell the information to interested ‘buyers’. Yes the adverts that always comes before news or interrupts news now and then they cost millions and millions of money. Now with digital migration, the treasure of monopoly and the big harvest from these adverts is under threat. Other upcoming stations will naturally demand a share of the cake. In addition due to many stations that will be created under digital migration, more and more jobs will be created. The biggest fool is the one who will and is opposing the digital migration. Why are they manipulating the brilliant idea and tarnishing it into venom that is likely to kill our trust to them?

Towards the mid of the year that is June, the whole world will switch to digital and it is an advantage to Kenya if we switch off analogue. One, we will be in an ample position to rectify the errors that might arise due to digital migration such as the right of ownership and the issuance of transmission bandwidth. The problem with Kenya is that we like arguing so much. Even after we agree with one accord, there is always those who rush to court to block the will of the majority. A good example is the legal team of the three media houses led by the ex-presidency candidate hon. Paul Muite.

I thought that learned friends are quick to understand and contemplate matters in the will of the people. As highlighted above there is no need for Kenyans to pay for news and local programs but this is not a good reason to block the long awaited digital migration. The government issued an ultimatum in like an year ago and it is really senseless to argue before principle magistrates that there was no enough time and that they should be given more time. There is something Muite and his team are forgetting; the power of deadlines. Why are they called deadlines? It is simply because after they are due, anything after that is useless. In other words, if the three media houses fail to reach the scheduled dates, they will enjoy the light of darkness. It is a bit ironical but they will have nothing left than a signal black out.

   Kenyans should not be deceived that there is anything like combined set boxes but it is a hindrance to digital migration. Who will afford to buy all the local stations set boxes? No one will. In fact it is even more expensive than the monthly subscription that they are denying. Not only is the idea meaningless but also a show of the highest rigidity and the conservativeness that is all in those in power for their own benefit. Let’s all embrace the digital migration and shun the three retrogressive media houses. Mwangi Edwin my views.