The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has affirmed its commitment as a regulator to partner with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) to train journalists on data protection matters.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo says the Council recognises the role played by journalists in generating data for their media houses, saying that they will be required to register as data processors.
“There is an emerging issue where media houses are being considered to be data processors due to the role played by journalists in acquiring data. There is need for their registration as data controllers”, said Mr Omwoyo during a media sensitisation organised by the Council and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
Mr Omwoyo underscored the importance of data in reinforcing stories to bring out the truth.
“Data is critical in telling stories because issues around figures are taken as gospel truth and therefore, there is a need for accuracy in telling such stories”, he said.
He disclosed the Council’s readiness to partner with the ODPC to train journalists on issues around data protection to address challenges that come with data journalism.
“There is need for a comprehensive training on data protection for journalists to address shortfalls arising from data reporting to enhance accuracy. We have witnessed cases where media houses report differently while interpreting figures”, he said.
Data Commissioner Ms Immaculate Kassait said data protection has become a major interest to the public as a result of technological growth hence the need for data privacy.
“Data protection is increasingly garnering interest from members of the public whose concerns on their data privacy cannot be underscored especially in such an era where technological growth necessitates increased use of data in day-to-day activities”, remarked Commissioner Kassait.
She termed data as ‘the new oil’ saying that companies leverage such information to tailor their products according to their consumer’s needs while at the same time calling for their registration.
“When put together, data can be aggregated, segmented and analysed by companies to make targeted decisions for certain categories of people. All data controllers and processors need to be registered by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner”, she said.
She called upon the media to play it role in sensitising the public on data protection due to their wide reach, saying that data protection laws seek to balance the benefits and risks of personal data processing for individuals to have confidence in the data collected about them.
Media Complaints Commissioner Mr Henry Maina spoke on the nexus between the Data Protection Act and the Media Council Act 2013. He assured journalists that both Acts complimented journalists work.
“Data Protection Act and the Media Council Act 2013 exist to compliment and accommodate journalists’ work especially when collecting data which is guided by public interest”, noted Commissioner Maina.
He cautioned journalists against unwanted intrusion into privacy and urged them to exercise accuracy, balance and fairness while reporting on stories.
Commissioner Maina further informed the journalists that the Data Protection Act was the only law that safeguards the confidentiality of their sources and that it reinforces the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in several areas.