The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Chief Executive Officer, David Omwoyo has urged media practitioners in the radio industry to uphold ethical and professional standards in their work.
Speaking during the national celebrations of the World Radio Day 2024 held at a hotel in Kisii, the CEO said that radio remains a trusted source of information for many Kenyans and the sanctity of the radio space must be retained.
Mr. Omwoyo noted the introduction of technology had given rise to many radio channels due to the reduced costs associated with on-air production, leading to low production standards and poor pay for journalists.
He challenged the media owners to employ and provide decent wages for trained journalists who spend more than three years learning the art of becoming a well-rounded radio journalist.
Further, the CEO urged the scribes in the radio space to take advantage of the mentorship programs offered by the veteran journalists to horn their skills and appeal to the many listeners who rely on radio for information and entertainment.
The Communication Authority of Kenya Director General, Mr. David Mugonyi who was represented by Fred Ambani, expressed the Authority’s commitment to delivering on their statutory responsibility of licensing and regulating communication services in Kenya.
Mr. Mugonyi said they are mandated with promoting and facilitating the development in keeping with the public interest, a diverse range of broadcasting services in Kenya as stipulated in Section 46 of the Kenya Information and Communication Act.
The Director General noted they have continued to develop radio broadcasting services by licensing diverse radio stations, ensuring efficient management of the scarce radio frequency resource, developing technical and content standards related to broadcasting services as well as monitoring of content and utilization of the air waves for compliance.
According to CAK, the media landscape in Kenya had greatly evolved from 14 analogue TV stations to 346 free-to-air TV stations after the digital migration, with 214 on air stations on the digital platforms.
There are currently 212 radio stations for commercial services and another 78 community radio stations that span across the republic.
Mugonyi noted that Kisii county’s radio sector was very vibrant as it receives a total of 33 radio stations and another 32 TV stations.
The Director General pointed out the important role that radio plays during emergencies such as natural calamities saying that radio broadcasting is one of the most effective ways of delivering early warnings and alerting the public.
Notably, he said the Authority is finalizing the Digital Sound Broadcasting Licensing Framework which is expected to complement the existing FM analogue radio and provide an additional platform for radio broadcast content services.
Mr. Mugonyi encouraged the media to understand the changing preferences and consumption patterns of consumers including the devices used in order to appropriately adopt content to the multiple platforms used and remain relevant.
In a speech read on her behalf by Oscar Otieno, Data Commissioner Ms. Immaculate Kassait acknowledged the role radio has played in providing lifesaving information and updates to Kenyans with regards to protecting their personal data against misuse and abuse.
Ms. Kassait said radio has provided a great platform for conducting continuous sensitization and awareness across the various diverse local voices and languages noting that the Data Protection laws and regulations are mainly available in print media and essentially in English language.
She called for collaborative efforts in responding to public concerns and legislative imperatives in relation to date privacy and use of personal data as a result of the changing domestic and global data protection ecosystem.
The Data Commissioner said their regulations are in support of the media industry who exercise their freedom of speech for journalistic purposes.
“As you strive to serve in your best capacity as a journalist, always be aware of the principles of data protection including data minimization, accuracy, lawfulness, fairness, transparency and accountability whenever you are dealing with personal data,” added Kassait.
On her part, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO Acting Director of Information Angela Muchai said that despite radio enduring many threats over the years due to the growing influence of the internet, it continues to be a source of information and entertainment.
Ms. Muchai urged the media stakeholders to ensure that radio continues to carry the development agenda in local communities and promote capacity building for community radios so that they can champion positive change and sustainable peace.
She also called for the prioritization of the safety and wellbeing of journalists as a part of contributing to the sustainability of radio.
“Duty bearers, media owners, media regulators and the general public all have a duty to advocate for the safety and well-being of journalists,” said Muchai.
Further, the Director urged journalists to perform their work with integrity and place public interests above their own interest and the interests of the media owners, businessmen and women as well as political leaders.
“Radio remains a trusted source of information to millions of families across the world. It is our duty to promote content that is aligned to our societal norms and responsive to the needs of the society,” she concluded.
As part of the World Radio Day Celebrations, the Media Council of Kenya launched a Media Hub/ Digital Content Production Center and Kisii Press Club to support the local journalists in their work.
By Mercy Osongo
