Media practitioners have been urged to report responsibly, professionally and objectively ahead of 2022 general election.
Media Council of Kenya Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Jackson Karanja said as the Country inches closer to the general election, journalists should play a key role in their agenda setting to ensure the nation remains united.
Speaking during a one-day sensitization forum conducted in a Kapsabet hotel that brought together 23 journalists from the region, Karanja noted that media has a crucial role in promoting peace and order in the society especially during this electioneering period.
“The purpose of this forum is to enhance capacity building of journalists and enable them convey the right information around governance, democratic processes and other matters of public interest,” he said
The coordinator challenged journalists to uphold honesty and embrace integrity in order to help steer a better society and enhance good leadership in the country.
“Journalists need to champion communication for development to bring about socio economic improvements on the lives of Kenyans,” he said
During the training, the journalists were taken through the code of conduct, the place of constructive journalism, security measures for journalist, reporting on Health issues and Gender Based violence among others.
Elwin Cherop, a journalist from the region asked the organization to hold similar meeting with county leadership, members from elected bodies and political leaders to make them understand the role of journalists, responsibilities they carry and the need for them to protect the work they are doing.
“In many occasions we have been denied access to information, intimidated by various news sources and even harassed while carrying out our duties and assignments given to us by various media station,” she lamented
In response, Mr. Karanja said they will look into the matter calling on public authorities and members from political sector to always provide timely and transparent information to enable journalists to write balanced articles.
Karanja further called on the local media to take up its communication role seriously and sensitize locals on the importance of adherence to the public protocols and uptake of the vaccination especially during this period of Covid -19.
By Linet Wafula
