Media stakeholders have been urged to uphold public interest, national values, and ethical reporting amid the rapid transformation brought about by digital technology.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Media Summit themed “Public Interest in the Era of Technology: Media Accountability and National Values”, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Hon William Kabogo, called on media professionals to remain vigilant and accountable in their work.
“We are living in a digital age where the speed of dissemination of information is unprecedented. The role of the media is not just to inform but to uphold truth and national values. When these values are undermined by propaganda or unchecked bias, it erodes the very fabric of our society,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
He underscored the essential role that journalists, editors, bloggers, and influencers play in fostering a trustworthy and credible media environment.
“I call upon journalists, editors, bloggers, and influencers to work together to build a media that is respectable, effective, and accountable.”
He further reiterated that the media’s role extends beyond providing information, serving also as a vehicle for strengthening civic responsibility.
“The role of the media is not only to inform but to uphold national values and foster civic responsibility,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo presented the latest data on media consumption trends, highlighting the evolving landscape. According to the Council’s findings, television remains the most relied-upon source of information at 26 per cent, followed closely by social media (24 per cent) and radio (23 per cent).
“Citizen TV is the most watched station, commanding 53 per cent of viewership, an increase from 35 per cent in the 2023 survey. Tuko emerged as the most visited news website with a notable 40 per cent readership in 2024, up from 33 per cent last year,” Omwoyo stated.
He further noted the time-based preferences among audiences: radio dominates the morning hours, while television takes precedence in the evening. Radio Citizen leads in listenership at 29 per cent, followed by Radio Jambo (24 per cent) and Radio Maisha (20 per cent).
Other keynote speakers, including heads of the Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG), Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Kenya National Commission for UNESCO and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, echoed the call for responsible journalism. They emphasised the need for data protection, ethical standards, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to counter misinformation and rebuild public trust.