The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Freddy Macha
30 October 2008
opinion
I do not know how many in East Africa have heard the recent controversy regarding well-known BBC radio and television presenters Jonathan Ross and comedian Russell Brand.
These two even prompted British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to condemn their inappropriate behaviour in public broadcasting early this week.
Forty-seven-year-old Jonathan Ross is mostly known for his lively humorous and witty style; he has a gift of the garb (maneno mengi).
Last Friday I was watching him interviewing the James Bond actor, Daniel Craig.
Unfortunately I did not enjoy it. Known columnist and journalist, Piers Morgan, wrote in Wednesday's Daily Mail: "Ross irritates the hell out of most people I have spoken to these days with his increasingly leering, cocky, toadying style of interviews."
This tendency for media personalities to become the focus of interviews rather than their guests is part of the current celebrity culture.
Jonathan Ross is the highest paid BBC presenter with a salary of five million pounds a year.
Yes, just for talking. Incidentally, BBC pays big money to such individuals because viewers love watching them; subsequently, generating great income for the chiefs.
Jonathan Ross has been in the news this week for a partnering with his friend, a foul-mouthed comedian called Russell Brand.
This 33-year-old, arrogant, ex- drug addict has a reputation for making jokes about his personal sexual experiences.
The comic has very long hair and beard and is said to be a believer of the Hare Krishna religion.
(I honestly do not understand celebrities who play rubbish games in public yet are privately obsessed with all sorts of cults).
Both Ross and Brand presented on BBC Radio 2, the most popular national programme.
On October 18, the duo left obscene messages on the answer phone of legendary actor 78-year-old Andrew Sachs.
Russell claimed to have slept with his granddaughter, Georgina Baillie, and gave graphic details.
The actual content of the "joke" was aired live to listeners.
A hurt and angry Mr Sachs lodged a formal complaint with the BBC.
It has become major news. At least 18,000 complaints were recorded by mid-week. Most pointed at the lack of respect levelled at an elderly grandfather publicly.
Emails, phone calls, editorials and government officials called for the two wealthy media personalities to be sacked. On Wednesday both were suspended.
Obviously the subject matter and these guys do not directly affect the lives of people in far away East Africa.
However, there are lessons to be learnt.
First, because many of us have been listening to the BBC for many decades.
The BBC is a well-respected broadcasting corporation that also employs many Africans, including Swahili presenters from our region. Secondly, many people regard institutions in developed countries as a source of inspiration, if not education.
What is going on in rich countries is a reflection of the breakdown of moral values, the family crisis and what a Londoner said on BBC Radio 98.94, the excesses of the celebrity culture.
The more you pay money to mediocre personalities the more stupid they get.
Being rich and famous and not showing respect reflects today's carelessness and can be seen amongst young millionaire footballers.
Last week I read a column by former referee Graham Poll who narrated the way Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole treats and scorns referees.
His contemptuous attitude was also levelled at his wife, the former referee wrote.
It is these sorts of attitudes that partly gave us the credit crunch and current recession.
Top bankers were careless, misused money which has contributed in creating the global financial crisis.
Our local famous people in East Africa should learn from this.
If you are a well-known personality (politics, media, sports, entertainment) show the way, preach respect to the young and old, help communities move forward.
The price of fame should be to boost the rest of us, not to applaud bad manners and behaviour. Become a role model, not a crass, obscene, senseless, useless, arrogant star.
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