By Edith Otieno – DevReporter, Kisumu County
Reporting on development issues from rural perspectives is an intriguing topic. It can be a game changer in that it offers a new approach to telling our stories, different from the “normalised” approaches taken by most media channels. In this new approach, focus is placed on development-themed issues and their impacts on rural communities as told from the perspectives of the rural people themselves.
In the “normalised” reporting, the media is often interested in juicy captivating stories that do not necessarily pay attention to their importance in people’s livelihoods. Most times, the media and journalists concentrate more on daily occurrences in urban areas, sometimes completely sidelining rural issues.
“I feel like we are not even part of the country. We have a number of issues that we need addressed,” Grace Anyango, a resident in the rural part of Kisumu County said.
Changing perception is about moving away from the stereotypical narratives associated with issues.
What rural development reporting has to offer?
Kenya like most developing nations is transitioning. There is rapid economic growth and a wide range of complex activities, including actualisation of the government’s Big Four Agenda and the Vision 2030.
By focusing on the local problems and initiatives, rural development reporting would, for example, provide rural farmers with information on how to access the market and sell their produce without depending on assistance from government. Emergence of online platforms are ameliorating the problem of access to markets through offering links to different direct market channels with no brokers.
Rural development reporting also aims at bringing a balance and bridging the rural-urban development gap.
According to World Social Report ,2021, rural development would allow rural populations to reach the urban standard of living: http://knowledge.unccd.int/publications/world-social-report-2021-reconsidering-rural-development. But rural development continues to be clouded with the perception that outsiders like professionals and development agents dominate it.
Changing perceptions
Any new government needs to be up to the challenge of changing such perceptions. But also Development Reporters have to do something to change that perception. Changing perception of rural areas through rural reporting is attainable and has proven to be effective.
Parties involved just need to do things like:
Embracing the personal style of rural areas. Rural areas do not have to exactly be like the urban.
Giving kind vibes. It is high time we stop branding rural areas as backward.
Finding out and asking questions. There are a lot of untold positive stories about rural areas that need to be featured in the media.
Knowing you matter. Instead of dependency, it is time the people in rural areas are made aware of their worth. If farming contributes to the economy and largely practiced in the rural areas, then the areas indeed matter.
Positive thoughts
With a positive outlook towards rural areas, I believe rural stereotypes engraved in our minds will be a thing of the past and together we shall be great.
It is high time, therefore, development reporting is boosted to bring about positive change in the rural areas.
