In the Name of Tourism : Securitisation and Counter-terrorism in Kenyan Media Discourse

Sammanfattning

This study examines how Kenyan media contribute to the justification of counter-terrorism measures in the name of protecting the country’s tourism sector. To analyse this, Constructivism and Securitisation theory are used, with Discourse Analysis being the method. The empirical material consists of articles from three of the biggest Kenyan newspapers, the Daily Nation, The Star and The Standard, spanning from 2022 to 2026. The study finds that Kenyan media construct the tourism sector as a referent object, framing it as an economic lifeline and the basis for future development. This justifies extreme measures to protect it, taken by the securitising actor, the Kenyan government, both on its own soil and as part of the global war on terrorism. Foreign governments that issue travel advice for Kenya and the media serve as the functional actors, pressuring Kenya to act on the threat of terrorism. Further, the media highlights voices from civil society, the tourism sector, and journalists who praise the government's efforts, suggesting a degree of audience acceptance, which is the final and completing step in a successful securitisation process. Finally, the study notes that increased political pressure on the media following the 2022 election might have led to self-censorship, potentially making newspapers an extension of the government's securitisation agenda. The findings of the study align with and expand upon previous research on the securitisation of tourism.