These twitter streets are not safe, it’s always one tweef or another, scandal after another.
This morning Twitter was awash with tweets under the hashtag #MuteDarkEnergy with the bone of contention being that media personalities and journalist don’t have content. Many made claims that the content shared on Kenya’s popular shows are not as current or innovative as they should be.
Twitter bigwig and influencer Brian Mbunde’s tweet yesterday triggered the conversation when he posted saying that “media houses should invest in content producers in order to have a lot more creative content on their shows instead of discussing the same topic all morning.” Known for his outspoken opinions, Mbunde shared his thoughts and found that he may have just spoken out of turn.
Media Houses need to invest in content creators/producers. Yaani hawa bado wanaongea the same topic from asubuhi?
— Brian Mbunde ™ (@Brianmbunde) January 28, 2019
NRG radio presenter Rachel Muthoni aka Mwalimu Rachel went on the offensive after the tweet was posted. She gave Brian Mbunde a piece of her mind by saying that many twitter bigwigs have tried to join radio but failed and that’s why they are so bitter towards radio stations and various media personalities.
Let’s face it. Some so called big wigs here have trieeeeed to join radio but failed. Terribly. And that’s why they are so bitter here towards radio stations/ personalities. There is an opinion you can raise in a decent manner and you will be heard. #MuteDarkEnergy.
— Mwalimu Rachel (Abena Adiepena) (@MwalimuRachel) January 28, 2019
Mbunde, on the other hand, said that he had offered advice from a digital perspective but Rachel took it as him “applying for a job.” He also taunted Mwalimu and other media personalities by saying “if they did not want to be criticized they should record their shows and share on WhatsApp.”
If you don’t want people to criticize your show/station, please record and share with guys on Whatsapp. pic.twitter.com/TyUpGPDBbk
— Brian Mbunde ™ (@Brianmbunde) January 29, 2019
The mother of one went on to say that people are two-faced because they dine and drink with them but on social media call out various personalities in a bid to chase popularity. She added that she was not speaking on behalf of NRG radio but that her work is real. She went on to add that she believes tweeps like Mbunde create tweets that are aimed at destroying people.
#KeepTheSameEnergy on and off these fake twitter streets. Some of you are here throwing stones yet tukipull footage from our studio we shall see you dancing inside our studios and drinking. Hata haya hamna? Man. You really are the S.I unit of fake and two faced. Aunty will pray4u
— Mwalimu Rachel (Abena Adiepena) (@MwalimuRachel) January 28, 2019
She also came after the people who countered her arguments with the story of her ‘explicit’ photos with rapper Timmy T Dat which were used to promote her new show with the rapper last year. She said the move was predictable as she had owned up and apologized for the photos.
To those posting the pic with Timmy… ah. Predictable. But you see, once u mess up&admit it& move on with ur life my people,no one can hurt u. Lemme even wheel it back with the article I wrote. On my website.Not twitter TL zenu za bure. Enjoy the read. https://t.co/bt26DkhTFF
— Mwalimu Rachel (Abena Adiepena) (@MwalimuRachel) January 28, 2019
Media personality Sheila Mwanyigha also weighed in on the issue to support Brain Mbunde’s argument that media houses should do more in terms of content. She went on to point out that many journalists simply “copy and paste” previous interviews that she has done with the same flow as well as questions.
Some of the guests on my channel have been featured on other shows and the presenters followed the same content flow and questions I used 🙈🙈 imitation is the best form of flattery but really? Between a producer and a presenter, new angles are impossible to find???? Smh
— Sheila Mwanyigha (@MissMwanyigha) January 28, 2019
The argument comes in the age where everyone who has a certain number of followers is perceived to be an influencer and goes on to make a “career” on social media. Social media has also allowed online personas to sit at the comfort of their homes, hiding behind their keyboards and lash out at people just for retweets, likes and a trending hashtag.
The recent years have also seen an influx of infotainers such as comedians and socialites with no prior media training, take over our media space with nothing more than their popularity on their backs. With very few media-trained personalities ruling the airwaves many question of if these popular personalities can be able to hold their own, have meaningful conversations and give their audiences relevant content.
At the end of it all, we should all do better for the audience, from influencers, creatives, producers and media personalities in general.
