The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has underpinned the importance of media partnerships in fostering communication of public interest issues.
MCK Kisumu Regional Evans Teddy highlighted the crucial role played by the media in disseminating disaster-related information to the public.
He said that the role presented an unmediated correlation between the public and emergency response organisations.
“The media assists in the management of disasters by educating the public about disasters and warning of hazards. It also alerts government officials, relief organisations and the public on specific needs while facilitating discussions on disaster preparedness”, said Mr Teddy during a journalists’ sensitization forum in Migori County.
Mr Teddy told the journalists that the Council is working towards partnering with other stakeholders to ensure media is adequately prepared to report on emergencies and disasters.
“The media has been identified as one of the critical stakeholders in the Early Action Protocol (EAP) in relation to messaging and public awareness. This involves dissemination of information on weather predictions, mitigation measures and response plans”, he noted.
He stated the Council seeks to enhance the role of journalists in humanitarian interventions to strengthen their engagement during El Nino anticipatory action and response plans.