Media and Election-Related Violence: Lessons from Kenya

Is there a link between election related violence and media? And if so, what can the press and larger media world do to play a more responsible role in countries plagued by violence around campaigns and elections? Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar, Sharon Anyango Odhiambo has been studying the problem and is working on recommendations that could improve the situation. She shares lessons from Kenya and beyond in this this edition of Wilson Center NOW.

Guest
Sharon Anyango Odhiambo is  a Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar with the Wilson Center’s Africa Program. She is also a Communications and Outreach Officer at the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), a premier institution bringing together researchers, policymakers, private sector actors, and the civil society. ATPS promotes the generation, dissemination, use, and mastery of science and technology for African development, environmental sustainability, and global inclusion. Previously she worked at Elective Africa and coordinated student placements in for medical internships, business treks, and gap year programs. She has also worked at Startimes Kenya, a digital media company. Her research interests include governance, media, elections, policy, health, women’s and gender empowerment, peace journalism, conflict resolution, and forcibly displaced persons. 

Host
John Milewski is the executive producer and managing editor of Wilson Center NOW and also serves as director of Wilson Center ON DEMAND digital programming. Previously he served as host and producer of Dialogue at the Wilson Center and Close Up on C-SPAN. He also teaches a course on politics and media for Penn State’s Washington Program.