The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) on Monday held a training for media practitioners and media trainers in Kisii County as part of the build-up activities ahead of the World Radio Day national celebrations to be held in the county today.
Speaking at Kisii University on the outskirts of Kisii town where the training was held, MCK Media Training and Development Director Victor Bwire expressed the need for journalists to practice development journalism that involves covering human interest stories that provide solutions to people’s everyday problems.
Bwire called for factual reporting among the media practitioners adding that they should report issues using simple language that the intended readers can easily understand.
‘As a journalist, you need to be independent when covering a story and remove any personal bias to ensure that your story is balanced, that way, you can maintain accountability and clarity,’ he said.
MCK Media Training and Development Assistant Director, Christine Nguku encouraged the reporter
s to utilize research that offers factual in-depth data that is relevant and reliable to the audience.
Ms. Nguku emphasized the need for journalists to produce positive stories that give hope and write more about what affects people in real-life situations as opposed to covering the few privileged members of society.
She urged the media to pay special attention to the young people who are greatly affected by the decisions made by those in power saying they constitute a huge population in the country and face the harsh realities brought about by the various economic changes.
The MCK Assistant Director added that creative thinking is important for journalists as it will encourage them to produce unique stories that focus on the youth, gender balance, and the ordinary people in society.
MCK Press Freedom, Safety and Advocacy Manager Dinnah Ondari urged the journalists to learn about the rights and privileges governing the conduct of a journalist and the process involved in accessing public information.
Ms.
Ondari encouraged the media to embrace professional working relationships and avoid misreporting which attracts up to one year in jail or a fine of Sh100,000.
She reminded the journalists about the importance of protecting a person’s privacy and respecting the decision of sources not to disclose information when regarded as a national security matter.
MCK Research, Planning and Strategy Officer Jacob Nyongesa told the media practitioners to always fact-check online content by verifying the information with other credible sources before sharing the same with the masses.
Speaking on accreditation, MCK Accreditation and Compliance Manager Rebecca Mutiso stated that journalists with press cards can access local and national events, seminars, and rallies as it helps to identify one as a professional.
She cautioned the media workers against using the MCK press card for selfish gains outside a practicing journalist’s mandate.
Source: Kenya News Agency