Government Spokesperson Col (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna has urged the media to report and talk about peace and development.
Speaking in Uriri Sub County in Migori during a fund raising, the official said that the media was so critical in any society given that at the stroke of a pen, a journalist could build or destroy a nation.
“Journalists are agenda setters and they have a bigger responsibility to play to ensure that the society that all of us belong to is stable and lives in a peaceful environment,” said Mr. Oguna.
The official said that as the country heads to next year’s elections, the nation’s development could be reduced overnight with negative and bad reporting.
He urged the media to be objective in their reporting, be non-partisan and push for the interest of the country first.
Chief Executive Officer Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Mr. David Omwoyo who accompanied Mr. Oguna advised journalists to report professionally, fairly and always be balanced.
Omwoyo also gave out press jackets to Migori Journalist Association and urged them to use the uniform professionally. “We want to see how the media is doing at grassroots levels in terms of informing and educating the society through their reports,” said Omwoyo.
He urged the Migori and Kenyan journalists at large to always seek the truth and report it for the betterment of the society.
Dennitah Ghati, Nominated Member of Parliament for Persons with Disabilities said that the media should be objective especially on issues of violence and women.
She said that the media should always ensure that women were well represented to ensure media balance and representation.
Ghati urged the MCK to empower journalists on matters of press writing and news reporting by economically empowering media associations to help them grow and be self-reliant.
Omwoyo presented Sh650, 000, a contribution from various officials in the Ministry of ICT, KONZA, KBC, Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), Kenya Year Book, Commission Authority and Data Commission. The fundraiser was organised by Mark Nyamita, MP for Uriri Constituency to help denominations of churches in South Kamagambo, Uriri Sub County.
In attendance was Mr. Gwaro Ogaro the Director Government Advertising Services, Mr. Mark Osewe Kenya Film Commission (KFC) Procurement department and Migori Senator Achilo Oyako.
By Geoffrey Makokha
