Historically, the roots of journalism are founded on what Edmund Burke defined in 1779 as the fourth estate responsibility of the media. He saw the media as a social institution that would directly oversee the rights of ordinary people and guard them against exploitation by those in authority. The media in this way was seen as the collective force that would ensure the development of a free society, democracy and accountability for all.

Individual journalists in possession of college level education, seasoned to the profession and by all means well aware of the ethical principles that guide the profession, disastrously chose to take narrow ethnic positions in the debate, most times, in congruence with those of politicians from their own ethnic groups. The end result was misinformation and misrepresentation of reality and the gradual development of ethnic based suspicions, which would later transform into heightened ethnic and political tensions in the country. Politicians on either side of the divide did thrive on this moment to further their narrow, anti-nationalistic agendas at the peril of peace and the spirit of political tolerance that was urgently needed for the survival of the nation.

What the country lacks is an institution- professional or otherwise that can provide an alternative view point on how diversity issues should be handled. The proposed Media Diversity Centre provides a great opportunity for consistent dialogue on issues of diversity as one way of advocating for fairness, balance and a return to professional ethical principles in the conduct and practice of journalism in Kenya.