The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) joined the world in commemorating this year’s World Radio Day at Kibabii University in Bungoma County, with calls on radio stations to uphold professionalism.
This is an annual event celebrated on 13th February to draw attention to the unique value of radio, which remains the medium to reach the widest audience and is currently taking up new technological forms and devices.
MCK CEO Mr David Omwoyo said this year’s theme “Radio and Trust” was significant as it touched on the increase of misleading content on radio, many advertisements that interfere with quality content, biases and airing of adult content during watershed hours.
“There has been a tremendous rise of misleading advertisements on radio. We are determined to make sure we do not turn our radio stations into platforms of misinformation and gambling”, said Mr Omwoyo.
He at the same time urged journalists to uphold media ethics, especially when reporting political stories during this electioneering season.
He revealed the Council’s plans to train journalists and media practitioners across the country on the Guidelines for Election Coverage, adding that the Council has constituted a panel of experts to develop a training manual on the same. He added that the Council will also convene a meeting where media experts will engage editors on coverage of the elections.
Mr Omwoyo said the Media Council will petition the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure that politicians who threaten and attack media workers are not cleared to vie for electoral offices.
He also urged media owners and managers to ensure that journalist’s welfare is catered for to avoid gambling in radio stations.
“Media owners should ensure that their reporters and correspondents are paid well so that incidences of gambling are stopped in most media houses in the country,” he said, adding that MCK is determined to end the vice in the media industry.
He said the Council will engage radio managers and media owners in ensuring journalists’ welfare is paramount to enhance effective coverage of news.
Bungoma County Commissioner Mr Samwel Kimiti applauded the work of the media in informing, educating and entertaining the public, stating that the media plays an important role in highlighting positive developments in the country.
“The media has a duty to set the agenda by highlighting matters of development in the country. We will continue working closely with the media and offering security needed when covering their stories to enhance accuracy and credibility”, said Mr Kimiti.
Kibabii University Vice Chancellor Prof Isaac Ipara Odeo said the institution has been working with the media and engaging with journalists to equip their students with necessary skills in journalism. He commended the Media Council for its contribution to the promotion Kiswahili in journalism by encouraging reporting in the language and supporting community media.
“We need support from entities like MCK in the growth of our young people through internship programmes and with the adoption of Kiswahili as one of the African Union (AU) official working languages, the MCK plays an important role in strengthening the language in journalism”, said Prof Odeo.
The celebration was also addressed by the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) Executive Director Ms Judie Kaberia and Mr Kevin Nyangweso from the Association of Kenya Community Media Operators (AKCMO).
Click here for more about the World Radio Day.