Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation (EMMLI)

First Supervisor/Advisor

Prof. Peter Kimani

Department

Graduate School of Media and Communications

Abstract

Regional correspondents play a major role in the media in Kenya by bringing into the national discourse local stories from rural, marginalized, and isolated communities, as well as from other towns away from the capital city or the head office of a media organization. Advancements in technology in the digital era have transformed the media landscape, forcing the media to adopt new business models as audience consumption habits change. Regional correspondents must equip themselves with relevant skills to adapt to the evolving media landscape. Industry players have found that regional correspondents lack competency skills. Ireri (2017) argued that journalists feel they were ill-trained because of a lack of resources or qualifications, while Allan (2014) noted that most journalism colleges offer “theory-heavy training” because of lack of facilities. Interviews from regional correspondents also concurred with these findings. This study sought to determine capacity challenges and upskilling needs of regional correspondents at Royal Media Services Limited, one of the leading media houses in Kenya, gaps in the training strategy for upskilling and make recommendations on how to enhance regional correspondents' capacities to meet the challenges posed by the evolving media landscape. The objectives of the study were to determine the capacity challenges and upskilling needs of regional correspondents, examine whether there were gaps in the existing upskilling strategy and recommend a structured training framework for upskilling regional correspondents to advance their competencies in the digital era. The study employed a qualitative research approach. Data was collected using In-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions with regional correspondents and Media managers. The findings indicated that regional correspondents at RMS have varied capacity challenges including inadequate basic and digital skills which affect their productivity. The findings also indicated that there were shortfalls in the upskilling strategy employed by RMS. Based on the findings, the study recommends that RMS invests in a structured, consistent, and coordinated upskilling program for regional correspondents to bridge the existing capacity gaps and strengthen regional correspondents’ capacity to adapt to the evolving media landscape. The study suggests a guideline that can be used to establish a structured upskilling framework to enhance the capacities of regional correspondents.

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