The Media Council of Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to support media sustainability efforts.
MCK Director for Media Training and Development Victor Bwire says press freedom is heavily dependent on media viability, hence the Council’s various initiatives across the country.
“The Council is spearheading establishment of digital media production centres/ media hubs in the country as a way of ensuring journalists have conducive working environments to enable them to monetise their content. In the same spirit we are encouraging journalists to form press clubs that will be avenues to push for their welfare”, Mr Bwire told a delegation from the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) who visited the Council today. The meeting was also the first courtesy call on the Council by AMWIK’s newly appointed Executive Director Queenter Mbori.
Mr Bwire said the Council is pleased with the growth of media interest groups in Kenya, saying they play a key role in contributing to press freedom and media development.
“We remain focused on ensuring that the media landscape in Kenya withstands the current industry shocks while collaborating in innovative sustainability measures. Having partnered with AMWIK on several projects makes it easy to further our objectives”, he said.
Through partnerships with AMWIK, he said, the Council will be able to push the various efforts aimed at supporting the media including through provision of grants, mentorship and addressing various issues affecting journalists such as sexual harassment in the newsroom.
AMWIK ED Ms Mbori commended MCK for its long-standing partnership, saying it has immensely impacted on press freedom in Kenya.
She revealed her immediate plans in office to include the revival of a working pact with the Council towards joint initiatives in, among others, training media, policy review and joint activities.