Scribes have been urged to continue upholding high standards of professional ethics in their agenda-setting role for the betterment of the society through dissemination of information.
Speaking during an event to mark World Press Freedom Day, the South Rift National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Chair Bishop Ernest Ngeno called on the press to expose corruption and evil ailing the society.
Bishop Ngeno who also doubles as the ACK Kericho diocese Bishop, also reminded the media to continue to oversight the national and county governments noting that Kenya was a good example of a working democracy in the region due to the efforts contributed by the media.
“Evils happening in the society like the Shakahola massacre should be exposed by the media before the situation worsens so that the relevant authorities will take action against human rights violations,” said Bishop Ngeno.
The forum that brought together over 30 journalists within the County was organized by the Kericho Women Media Organization (KEWOMO).
The KEWOMO members led by the chair Audrey Chemutai condemned violence against journalists on duty urging the public and security officers to exercise restraint and respect for the press men and women.
“We also urge journalists to remain united as the fourth estate and report objectively the day-to-day happenings in the country,” said Chemutai.
Also, present at the event, was the Kericho County National Government Affirmative Action Fund Manager Mr. Patrick Cheruiyot who revealed that the bursary disbursement for the first and second quotas was worth Sh3.8 million targeting students from humble backgrounds, parents to children with disabilities, and also orphans.
Cheruiyot further said that his office had identified the children with the help of the national government officers including the chiefs and religious leaders to ensure that only vulnerable students benefit from the bursaries.
“We also have launched civic education programs for people around the county with meeting with registered groups and we have received their proposals and starting this month they will be supported” added Cheruiyot.
He commended the Media practitioners for the milestone they had achieved in relaying information to the public for the betterment of society.
The World Press Freedom Day is a proclamation of the UN General Assembly on December 1993 to reflect on issues affecting press freedom and professional ethics, fundamental principles of press freedom; assess the state of press freedom throughout the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
By Kibe Mburu and Ezra Kiprotich
