The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) is urging the media to maintain objectivity in the final weeks to the August General Election.
MCK CEO Mr David Omwoyo says media coverage of the ongoing campaigns will have a direct impact on the conduct of the polls.
“As we move to the final days to the transitional General Election, it is your duty as members of the Fourth Estate to uphold responsible reporting while remaining objective. The media is now under scrutiny more than ever as everyone is looking at how you cover the campaigns”, Mr Omwoyo told journalists at the end of an elections reporting training organised by the Council in Nakuru.
The MCK CEO at the same time encouraged journalists who have covered elections before to share their experiences with their counterparts who were covering elections for the first time.
He also urged journalists to remain each other’s keeper especially in view of threats to their safety during the electioneering period, adding that journalists should also hold each other accountable to preserve credibility of the media.
“Media work is tough and you must remain true to your calling, be firm and committed to ideals of professional journalism not just during elections but also while covering other matters of national interest”.
The MCK boss has also urged Kenyans, especially the political class, to embrace and support the media as it plays a key role in electoral processes.
“I urge fellow countrymen to support the media given the fundamental role the media is playing towards the elections. Let us not criticise the media whenever we feel that coverage does not favour us but engage in actions that attract coverage”, he said.
Mr Omwoyo added that those attacking journalists were violating their rights as provided for in the Constitution, adding that the Council was concerned with the rising attacks on journalists as elections approach.
“Anyone aggrieved by the work of journalists should direct the complaints to the Media Complaints Commission instead of taking law into their hands by assaulting media workers”, he said.
Mr Omwoyo revealed that Nakuru is among areas where the Council will set up a media centre during elections to enable journalists file their stories.
“We will be opening a media centre in Nakuru in the next few weeks to provide a conducive and safe working environment for journalists. We look forward to professional coverage of the elections”, he said.