The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has implored local media houses to increase usage of digital platforms for content generation.
MCK Mombasa Regional Coordinator Maureen Mudi says that the utilisation of digital platforms will help media houses to tap on the changing media dynamics and catalyse the growth of their audiences.
“Strategise and re-engineer your mind to create appealing content on social media platforms that can be monetised. Set monthly and yearly targets on your station’s social media platforms to gauge the growth of your audiences”, said Ms Mudi during a forum on local content production at Msenangu FM.
Ms Mudi noted that traditional media, which consists of dailies, weekly newspapers and top of the hour news segments for electronic media, is quickly fading away and audiences are embracing digital media where information is prompt.
Ms Mudi further stated that online media has created a ripple effect by changing how audiences consume news and content.
She cautioned journalists against plagiarism, urging them to always attribute their sources of information to enhance professionalism and credibility in the industry.
“Intellectual property rights are a challenge, especially in social media content generation. Let’s be cautious when posting plagiarised content as ours. It may land you in serious legal hurdles”, she said.
Mediamax Network’s Mombasa acting Bureau Chief Rueben Mwambingu and Msenangu FM’s News Editor Salim Moyo lauded the Council for its efforts in promoting professionalism in the media sector through trainings and collaborations.
They appealed to the Council to continue with the special journalism grants awards to motivate journalists with keen interest in pursuing development journalism at the grassroot level.
“MCK’s efforts to provide journalists with travel grants during the COVID-19 period were commendable. Past Covid, the organisation should continue issuing grants as it sets competitive standards for the awards to ensure journalists are more creative and to raise the quality of journalism in the country”, said Mwambingu.