The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called for urgent reforms in media management and sustainability, warning that failure to adapt to emerging trends risks rendering traditional media obsolete.
Speaking at the Africa Media Festival at Baraza Media Lab in Nairobi, MCK CEO David Omwoyo stressed the need for innovation, ethical journalism and balanced regulation to protect press freedom.
He cautioned against using regulations to stifle the press and emphasised the importance of valuing media professionals’ expertise.
“The core issue is media management, not the media itself. Just as a coach isn’t blamed for players’ performance, we must strengthen media institutions rather than fault journalists,” he said.
Addressing perceptions of an unpatriotic Kenyan media, Omwoyo argued it mirrors societal truths, not fabricated crises, urging stakeholders to address root challenges rather than curb reporting.
The festival, themed “Bridging Gaps, Connecting Media Futures,” convened industry leaders, including the East African Editors Society, Kenya Editors Guild, African Editors Forum and Media Owners Association. Discussions covered journalist safety, newsroom transitions, sustainability hurdles, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping media practices.
Mr Omwoyo highlighted AI’s impact and evolving consumption patterns, urging media houses to innovate.
“We’re in a rich information ecosystem, but without adaptation, the industry faces collapse,” he warned.
He advocated for responsible AI integration that enhances journalism while upholding ethical standards.
Key outcomes from the event included calls for enhanced media collaboration, policy reforms to promote ethical journalism and the thoughtful adoption of emerging technologies to sustain press freedom and journalism’s democratic role.