The Media Council of Kenya CEO Mr David Omwoyo has emphasised the critical place of access to information by the media in electoral processes. Mr Omwoyo says it is only when journalists obtain accurate information that they can report matters of public interest objectively.
“Everyone ignores the media in election planning, including sharing of information, until something goes wrong. This is when the media gets blamed”, he said during a senior reporters’ roundtable on the place of access to information in election management in Kenya in Machakos County.
The meeting was organised under a partnership between the Media Council of Kenya, Katiba Institute and Mzalendo and attended by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Commission on Administrative Justice and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
Mr Omwoyo called for the need for adequate information to the public as the country approaches the transitional August 9 polls.
“We have several media associations and media houses in Kenya through which all Kenyans can access information on the elections. The Media Council has for instance, partnered with media stakeholders to conduct debates for the Presidential candidates and their running mates plus those running for gubernatorial positions”, he said.
Mr Omwoyo outlined the various initiatives the Council has put in place to prepare the media for the elections, key being capacity building of journalists and media practitioners on access to information and provision of workspaces during the elections.
“The Council together with industry stakeholders developed a Guidelines for Elections Coverage and a Training Manual for Elections Coverage. We have already trained and accredited the first cohort of Trainers of Trainers who will traverse the country to educate journalists on professional and ethical coverage of the General Election”, he said.
Mr Omwoyo emphasised the importance of training journalists for the elections, adding that many current journalists have never covered elections. He revealed that the Council will support journalists to access information by engaging various players in the electoral processes.
“We are collaborating with several players to ensure the media is adequately facilitated to access information while covering elections, ultimately providing Kenyans with the right information”, he said.
He at the same time urged journalists and media practitioners to accredit with the Council to enable them access support from the Council.
“As per the law every journalist in Kenya must be accredited as that is the legal identification. Accreditation will also facilitate addressing safety issues. Accreditation is also crucial for foreign journalists as it will help them access places for information”, he said.
The MCK CEO urged journalists to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya as they cover matters of public interest, including elections.
CEO of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission CEO Mr Marjan Hussein Marjan acknowledged the critical role of the media in elections and called for responsible reporting in the face of modern technology.
“Media bears the responsibility of informing the public on all matters elections and should utilise technological advances for efficiency while upholding professional ethics”, he said.
He said the Commission generates important information on elections that must be shared with the public.
“Election is a process and not an event. The Commission is expected to give information that the ordinary citizen can understand. This is why we are working closely with the media”, he said.
“The Commission’s long experience has created a huge pool of knowledge that informs its preparedness for the upcoming elections. I encourage the media to utilise this knowledge for public good”.
He said the Commission will give accredited journalists access to polling stations and tallying centres, including movement of election materials.
Chairman of the Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association Mr Duncan Khaemba called for enhanced access to information.
“We want to set the environment for free and fair elections through access to quality information. We are at a critical stage where we need information at the right time. Please make it easy for us to report correctly”, he said.
He urged the media to be on the lookout for propaganda and fake news during the electioneering period, saying online media platforms will play a key role in the polls.