Journalists have been urged to safeguard data they interact with as they collect information.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Meru Regional Coordinator Jackson Karanja says the media can equally play a critical role of informing the public on responsible data use.
“The public needs to understand the importance of safeguarding information shared either willingly or unwillingly by news sources”, said Mr Karanja at an awareness forum for journalists in Tharaka Nithi County.
He called for responsibility and restraint in the use of information from news sources on social media pages by journalists.
“Given the advancements in technology that have opened a wider field of gadgets that people interact with regularly, we are often quick to post personal information on our social media pages. Disclosing personal information can be manipulated or used against us”, he said.
Mr Karanja reiterated that the Council remains dedicated to working with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to educate journalists on the fundamental concepts of data protection.
“The principles of data protection such as privacy, confidentiality and integrity are a key component of the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism as enshrined in the Media Council Act, 2013. Observance of this is vital in upholding professional ethics of journalists”, he noted.
The Media Council of Kenya is working closely with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) in sensitising the media and the public on matters of data protection.