Life in media can be hard at times. Performance is measured by numbers; how many are listening? Did the numbers from last week match the numbers this week?
This way of doing things has led to presenters using every means available to get more listeners and retain those that they already have.
Some of the means used have been extreme. Whether they worked or didn't, you be the judge.
Here are four fights that were, in reality, PR stunts
1. The Infamous Kiss on Radio Citizen
Radio Citizen fans were amazed on August 19, when their presenters went at each other with harsh words over a disagreement.
In the leaked video, Inspekta Mwala is seen taunting co-host Melody Sinzore, who is not happy with the way Mwala continuously refers to her as 'his wife' on air. Mwala tried to force a kiss out of her, saying that he does not call her his wife just to be humorous.
The station's head of radio, Jerida Andayi tried to intervene and the kiss ended up being planted on her instead.
Sexual assault accusations are looked at very seriously, but instead of the media house handling the issue in private, it leaked the video. Many have viewed it as a PR stunt, an attempt to draw more listeners to the radio station.
2. The Verbal Fight at Milele FM
Kaka Zema and Doreen Nassi, (Dee), present the Dee na Zema on Drive show at Milele FM. They were in January 2019, 'suspended' over a verbal fight that happened in the studio.
Their argument involved a verbal as well as a physical exchange, hitting each other with shoes and newspapers. DJ Slim tried to separate the two, an act that earned him the wrath of Doreen Nasi.
Many questions were asked by the listeners, prompting the management to communicate on the issue.
“Okay guys, I’ve woken up to many missed calls from my blogger buddies. I honestly left jobo mapema sana jana (I left work early yesterday) and I don't know what happened here! I will be back on Monday and I will find out and give you all the feedback. In the meantime All I know watu hukosana (people often disagree)! It's life…Let’s just wait for Monday,” posted Alek Mwakideu, the station's head of radio.
The frenzied fight ended up being a mere publicity stunt, aimed at preparing listeners for a reshuffle of presenters at the Mediamax Network-owned radio station!
3. The Capital Verbal Sparring
In July 2019, Amina and Fareed of Capital in the Morning were at each others' throats.
It is alleged that the war of words ensued when Amina saw her co-host's payslip and realized that he was being paid more than her.
During the heated morning discussion, Amina argued that she had worked at the radio station for a longer period, while Fareed contended that he had more experience than her.
It got so heated up that Fareed threatened to walk out of the show, which he later did when Amina referred to him as an 'idiot'.
People took two sides, but many dismissed the war as a scripted act, aiming to attract more listeners to the radio show.
4. The 'stupid' argument
In the same month of July, Jeff and Jalas, who at the time teamed up at Hot 96 FM, went at each other. The fight was started by a discussion on school fires which were rampant at that time.
Jalang’o: Remember how long ago you could send a message far? It was by smoke signal. So maybe moshi ikitoka hivi library it is seen far off.
Jeff: Ujinga ni…
Jalang’o: Hakuna kitu kama ujinga ni...
Jalang'o stood by his idea that students burn schools because they want to pass a message to the administration.
Jeff weighed in, explaining that students burn schools because they are afraid of exams.
When Jalang'o responded that they had burnt schools in their heydays, Jeff challenged the comedian, arguing that it was because he was 'stupid'. Koinange then clicked, prompting the already irritated Jalang' o to walk out.
Changes were made almost immediately after, and less than two weeks later, Jalang'o left for Milele FM.
When asked what prompted the verbal sparring between the two erstwhile cordial co-hosts, he replied on his Instagram;
“No Jeff did not call me stupid! What the blogs have done is pick a part of our conversation and edited it to feed this lie! Jeff and I had and still do have the best relationship ever! Jeff knew that I was leaving and wished me well.” he posted on his Instagram, dispelling rumors that the 'fight' with Jeff was the reason he left.
Does anyone of you remember a movie script about one man dying as a way of leaving the movie set?
