Research shows that most programmes are not fit for children

By Benjamin Sakwa

Nairobi, Kenya: Recent research shows that children’s programmes have not been given much consideration by a number of African television channels.

As much as children form the larger population of the audience that watches television, their programmes are very few in Kenya as adult-rated programmes are given more airtime. 

“In the developed countries, we have news programmes that are produced just for the children aged 12 years and below,” said Karen Brinkhorsts, a researcher born to a Kenyan father and a Dutch mother.

The 40-year-old mother of three said: “We have talked to KTN management and are hoping to strike a deal with them so that children’s news programmes can be aired. It will be very fulfilling to see this happen.”

Before she came to Kenya, she worked for, among others, the Netherlands National Broadcaster as a documentaries producer.

“After research revealed that the television industry in Africa does not produce enough children’s programmes, more so news programs targeting children, three friends and I decided to tour African countries to see if we could come up with ideas that would make the television industry explore this area,” Brinkhorts said.

The research was done by Free Press Unlimited.

The children’s news programme, she said, should be between 10 to 12 minutes long and just before the adult news airs. Her target is to have the programme aired five days a week for a start.

“We want to see children friendly, educative programmes that will focus on independent journalism without hard news stories. Children are not interested in accidents or divorce news; they want news they can relate to,” Brinkhorts said.

According to her, most of the topics and themes that the children’s news programme will focus on include health care, climate change, the importance of school and sports, first aid, safety in the home and on the road.

“The anchor can be a mixture of children and adults depending on the policy of the country,” she told The Standard on Saturday.

Brinkhorts is currently engaged in numerous projects to help children access education in the rural areas.

She is also involved in an anti-jiggers campaign in Ikolomani constituency, where children are jigger infested, affecting their education.

“We are hoping that this dream will become a reality,” she said.