In an ethnically polarized and explosive environment, journalists have to do a lot of balancing acts. Public right to know will always be is conflict wit public security and safety and the journalist may have to choose the lesser evil.

In the December 2007 post-election crisis and violence in Kenya, the government came up with some measures meant to curb explosion of violence pitting different ethnic groups. Live coverage of horrific scenes or meetings which were largely related to the crisis was suspended. The government claimed it was done in good faith and for security reasons. But further analysis can show that the right to know by the public can be supported by security reasons. Travelers used media to know if it was safe to travel. There were several incidences when people were pulled out vehicles and cut with machetes until they died in front of television and security personnel. There were even people who were interviewed and who express no regrets in committing the criminal acts. Though it is true that transmitting such horrific scene would spark off a spontaneous reaction from members whose people had been killed, that they would go out and kill members of the community who killed their people, it is only true that many people who do not get informed of such horrific acts would go straight into the highway traps and die.

A journalist working in an ethnically polarized and explosive environment performs extremely delicate acts. Apart from balancing the audience right to know, he balances so many media issues. He is handling perception problems, many self-interest groups, and at the same time performing his role as a crusader for just causes for humanity.

Some would see a journalist as adversary while others will a journalist as a friend. Some hate the journalist because of perception problem or because of prejudice. During December 2007 post election crisis and violence in Kenya, a member of one ethnic group said that he cannot accept to be treated by a doctor from another ethnic group. Therefore a reader of a newspaper or a television audient may hate the news writer or a television presenter or reporter just because he is from another community. Therefore a journalist has to do a lot of balancing acts to deal with perception.

In our ethnically polarized and explosive environment there are many explosive interest groups that a journalist addresses in his balancing acts as he goes about his duty of presenting information. And has he performed his crusading role, some groups may become suspicious and read mischief in his endeavours.

A journalist audiences may not just be a mix found among the audience but policy and decision makers who may not be more perceptive, realistic, and imaginative to appreciate a journalist work and noble causes that he pursue in difficult circumstances. It was the work of journalist that brought Kenyan crisis to national and international attention and in the long run help avert an otherwise worst case for Kenya. It was the horrid scenes that send a message across.