Influence of Revolutions in Information Technology on Electronic Media Coverage of Political News in Kenya in the 21st Century

Liberalization of the airwave in Kenya in the early 1990s led to increased press freedom by allowing for the registration of privately owned broadcast media outlets. The 21st Century has experienced a significant revolution in information technology that has fundamentally altered various facets of human existence. The advancements in this field, particularly with the advent of the internet have transformed the production and distribution of news. This has led to trends towards the emergence of a post-truth media in political communication. This study analyses the transformations in information technology its effects on reporting of political news. Based on the agenda setting theory this study argued that in as much as professional journalism stresses objectivity in news production, the electronic media in Kenya has in electoral periods been used to mobilize support for political contestants across the political divide. This study took the form of an exploratory research design. To achieve its objectives the study used stratified probability and purposive sampling techniques to select a total of 100 respondents for interview. Stratified probability sampling was used to select 70 Ordinary Citizens (7 from 10 sampled Constituencies). Purposive sampling was used to select 30 respondents as follows; 10 journalists from different media houses, 5 Media Experts and 15 politicians from both government and the opposition.. Data from the study was analyzed and interpreted qualitatively. The findings of the study noted that enhanced connectivity provided by the internet along with the prevalence of social media and mobile devices for news consumption has contributed to a rise in the use of propaganda misinformation and fake news. It was revealed that revolution in information technology has subsequently led to trends towards propaganda and fake news by the mass media in an attempt to influence public opinion.