Abstract:
There is a major gap in communication between the music industry and government bodies. This is reflected in terms of a lack of policy and institutional frameworks at a government level that stem from a lack of participation communication with members of the industry. The lack of feedback and participation in policy issues has resulted in what is essentially a ‘separation’ of need between music industry stakeholders and the government. This lack of participation communication is exemplified by policies not derived from dialogue and inclusion.
The research undertaken examined the relationship between government institutions and the music industry in the context of participation communication models of development. This examined the history of the music industry and compared it to other international industries. The theoretical framework of the participation communication was then overviewed. The methodology employed was a qualitative methodology, by way of focus groups and in depth interviews with music industry stakeholders within Nairobi. This was then analyzed in order to seek thematic patterns deriving from the data in line with issues regarding involvement of members of the music industry with government policies (formation and implementation).
The study found that there are gaps in communication between the government and the music industry within Kenya, that stakeholders often viewed these in terms of being vertical communication, and that stakeholders feel that gaps in communication impact the development of the music industry. Three major themes resulted from the study; that of inconsequential participation, stakeholders seeking development or empowerment and that of vertical or top-down communication between the government and the nation’s music industry. This indicates that the music industry of Kenya is underdeveloped, with the lack of stakeholder participation being a major factor in the sector’s stagnation. The current methodologies of participation communication being employed by the Kenyan government when engaging with the music industry are largely ineffective.
