The Media Council of Kenya will roll out an elections training for journalists, media practitioners and media houses in January 2022. This is aimed at equipping the media with skills on elections coverage ahead of the general elections.
MCK CEO Mr David Omwoyo told the National Dialogue Conference on the state of electoral preparedness ahead of the 2022 General Elections that the media has been sidelined in electoral processes and only blamed when things go wrong.
“The media is always left to operate as the cheering squad during elections and blamed when chaos erupt. We have initiated measures to address this by ensuring professional coverage of elections”, said Mr Omwoyo.
He said the Council will build capacity of journalists through the recently launched guidelines for elections coverage.
“We have seen the need to build capacity of media houses, journalists and media practitioners who have never covered the election process. This will aid to tackle ethical challenges posed by the rise in the number of vernacular media houses and online platforms”, noted the CEO.
Mr Omwoyo noted that the Council has received a few cases alluded to lack of balanced reporting in some media houses. “Balanced coverage is one of the challenges being faced in the media. The Council has received such matters and presented them to the Complaints Commission to give a ruling”, said Mr Omwoyo.
He urged journalists to ensure objectivity in their stories as the country gears up for elections.
The CEO said collaboration amongst partners will enhance integrity, accountability and transparency ahead of the general elections. He noted that the Council was ready and willing to work with other institutions to ensure credibility in election coverage.
“The Council will work with other institutions in charge of the electoral process to ensure that there is a proper feedback mechanism. Media monitoring of the process will also take place to bring out issues of fake news and misinformation”, said Mr Omwoyo.