The media has a key responsibility to tell stories and protect victims involved in human trafficking.
Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Mombasa Regional Coordinator Maureen Mudi has noted that collaborations by different players in enhancing quality reporting on such stories ensures that the media conducts its work efficiently.
Ms Mudi said the Council encourages journalists to diversify and report on complex stories with help from such partners.
“The Shakahola incident remains one of the biggest human trafficking syndicates the region has experienced in recent times. How media exposes this will help demystify issues on migration of persons and expose the ills revolving around such incidents”, said Ms Mudi at a meeting on human trafficking convened by MCK, Trace Kenya and Pax Press-Rwanda.
She stressed the need for journalists to report accurately and objectively to give their stores more credibility.
She noted that several modules, including reporting on children and human trafficking, have been listed at the MCK’s Africa Media Academy to help shape knowledge by journalists and media practitioners to enhance their reporting.
Trace Kenya Director Paul Adhoch, said it was crucial for media to report without increasing harm, causing damage or exposing the victims and their sources.
He noted that Trace Kenya and MCK organised the engagement as a way to ensure journalists tell professional and successful stories on human trafficking as they work with individuals, government, communities, partners and other institutions to counter the trafficking of persons in Kenya and thus fight modern day slavery.
Secretary of the Coast Civil Society Organisations Network Wilson Nolly Ray emphasised the need for organisations to have professional communication teams to help them grow.
“Organisations have been failing in sharing information with people because of lack of professionalism. We appreciate MCK for their great work in dealing with unprofessionalism in the media industry”, said Mr Ray.
Pax Press journalists from Rwanda, Claudine Mahoro and Pascal Niyibikora, shared stories on the genocide media coverage and human trafficking in their country as part of benchmarking.
The engagement brought together journalists in Mombasa and members of the Civil Society Organisations.