The Media Council of Kenya today hosted the 19th Annual General Meeting of the World Association of Press Councils. The global meeting marked day one of activities to commemorate this year's World Press Freedom Day.
Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Mr Joe Mucheru who opened the meeting said the WAPC meeting comes at a time when the world is commemorating the World Press Freedom Day under the theme Journalism under Digital Siege and called for caution to mitigate the potential harm that comes with widespread digitisation.
"Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, technology was viewed as a disruptor of the operations of the traditional media. However, the pandemic demonstrated the immense opportunities presented by technology and digitisation, to sustain the media and cushion it from being irrelevant", said the CS.
The Cabinet Secretary urged the media to deliberately purpose to disseminate only truthful information following propagation of misinformation via social media platforms during elections. "We owe this to our citizens! Verification and fact -checking should be at the core of the journalistic etiquette", he said.
WAPC President Dr Sule Aker acknowledged the critical role of press councils in pushing for media freedom while urging media workers to uphold responsibility.
MCK Chairman Mr Maina Muiruri called for formulation of policies to address challenges that threaten free, independent and sustainable media in the face of digital disruptions and emergencies.
"As MCK we believe we have come of age to offer our knowledge and experience to our peers in the region and elsewhere in coming up with regulation models that advance the principles that we all aspire to attain in media regulation globally", said Mr Muiruri.
Media Council CEO and WAPC second Vice President Mr David Omwoyo aid Kenya's improvement to position 69 in the latest World Press Freedom Index is attributable to concerted efforts by the Council and stakeholders to professionalise the media.