As journalism in Kenya evolves, vernacular radio and television stations emerged as formidable contenders in the 2024 Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA).

As chairperson of the AJEA nomination panel, I took some time to reflect on the quality of entries from journalists at these stations. It is crucial to recognise that of the total 1,081 entries, only a handful were in vernacular languages, but a good number from this group displayed a remarkable surge in storytelling prowess.

From entries such as “Muthondeki wa Droni Murang’a” (Murang’a drone assembler) and Biteetab Kalenjin (education and culture of the Kalenjin) to “Nyithindo Rito Aluora” (children protecting the environment), these unique story angles captivated judges, elevating standards of storytelling in vernacular languages.

Five key elements of excellence stood out from the annual fete, providing several lessons for us. First is the unwavering commitment to represent diverse perspectives and tackle grassroots issues, all while maintaining language consistency, adhering to ethical standards, and infusing creativity into their narratives.

 Second is the impressive dedication to in-depth story analysis, presenting context, background information, simplified data, and ultimately, highlighting why telling such stories is important – what is otherwise known in newsrooms as the ‘so-what’ factor.

Third, the seamless blend of natural sound with human voices evidenced a profound understanding of storytelling techniques that resonate with audiences. The clarity of sounds captured and videography from unique camera positioning added immense value to these stories, while the selection of immersive soundscapes further enriched the listening and viewing experience.

Further, the creativity displayed in translating vernacular subtitles to English, a requirement for the AJEA submissions, underscored the journalists’ awareness of global audiences.

Finally, and most importantly, the entries from vernacular stations showed that journalists went beyond just highlighting problems and instead focused on potential solutions as well as constructive actions.

In his book Constructive News: How to save the Media and Democracy with Journalism of Tomorrow, Ulrik Haagerup, an investigative journalist who spent two decades leading top newsrooms across Denmark, describes this as an essential paradigm shift and “a wake-up call for a media world that struggles for a future”. He delves into how negativity bias affects audiences, public discourse, the press itself and democracy.

While constructive journalism focuses on solutions, it does not ignore or downplay the existence of problems. Instead, it provides a more balanced and nuanced perspective by offering insights into both challenges and potential ways to address them. This is what a good number of journalists from vernacular stations did.

But amid the achievements highlighted, it behoves us to acknowledge the challenges that these journalists still face. Limited resources, linguistic barriers, and regulatory constraints continue to pose significant hurdles.  Nevertheless, these challenges should not discourage but serve as catalysts for innovation and collaboration. Partnering with organisations such as the Media Council of Kenya and other like-minded groups for training can help overcome these obstacles.

Through AJEA, usually the peak of celebrations to mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the media in Kenya has an opportunity to enhance professional standards of practice and grow in its mandate as an opinion shaper and a platform for discourse.