A non-governmental organization dubbed ACTS-Kenya in collaboration with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has conducted a two-day training for journalists on conflict sensitive reporting.
The training that was aimed at ensuring peaceful elections brought together more than 30 journalists, producers and various media practitioners from Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori counties.
ACTS Project Assistant Kerubo Onyancha, explained that the NGO was working in collaboration with Kenya Electoral Conflict Mitigation and Civic/ Voter education Support (ECCES) program and Resilience Peace and Stability (RPS).
“We are seeking to join others in the fight against violence that has marred Kenyan elections since the advent of multi-party,” stated Kerubo.
She further elaborated that the NGO was working in conjunction with USAID and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark as well as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Kerubo added that journalists form an integral part of the elections prompting the need for training on ways to report on conflict sensitive matters in a manner that can help prevent chaos especially during this electioneering period.
Victor Bwire, the Director media training and development at the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) who was among the trainers, called on journalists and media houses owners to uphold their social responsibility by covering stories that promote peaceful elections.
“Journalists are a big part of social change and they should embrace solution-based journalism that will help keep the country together as we head towards the August General election,” said Bwire.
The training sessions highlighted the importance of accuracy, transparency and factual reporting among media outlets while also adhering to the code of conduct governing the operation of journalists in Kenya.
By Omar Zabbibah
