Over 50 journalists have received reporting skills on various emerging issues in journalism, ahead of the regional Annual Media Summit which kicked off this morning at Intercontinental hotel.
The training organised by the Media Council of Kenya, and which brought together several other partners in the industry, focused on issues of Access to Information, Safety and Protection of Journalists, Public Affairs Reporting and the upcoming national census.
The topics for the training that brought together journalists from various media houses from across the country, were carefully crafted to cover the role of media in governance, in line with the 2019 Media Summit theme which is Media Accountability and Good Governance.
Other partners who participated in the training at the Aga Khan University were Katiba Institute, Africa Check and African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)
Speaking during the exercise, MCK head of Media Development and Strategy Victor Bwire challenged journalists to strive, to acquire reporting skills that respond to the ever changing media environment.
“Journalists should strive to remain professional while maintaining their integrity even when faced with challenges that make the working environment very difficult,” he said adding that reporters need to be wary of the underlying risks in the line of duty.
The risks include corruption as well as physical and online risks which threaten their security and health. Bwire also reminded the media professional on the need to adhere to the Code of Conduct on the Practise of Journalism in Kenya as a way of maintaining professionalism and respect for the institutions.
He was responding to some of the concerns raised by journalists on cyber attacks and psychological effects of covering tragedies.
Edmond Nyabola (NTV) noted that journalists were constantly under pressure from news subjects who were not happy with stories published by media Houses.
On Access to Information Nyabola also expressed concern that journalists were facing difficulties accessing government held information as most public officials were too guarded and secretive when dealing with information requests from journalists.
Judith Akolo(KBC) called for more efforts in ensuring adherence to the Access to Information Act 2016 by public officials, in responding to media requests for information was very low, three years after enactment of the law.
On his side Dennis Beru (Reuben FM) regretted that journalists are always viewed with suspicions by most public officials who hold custody to public information.