Journalists have been urged to conduct themselves professionally as they undertake their duties. They have also been advised to properly identify themselves when looking for information from the counties.
Trans Nzoia Deputy County Commissioner Sarah Naibei told the Media Council of Kenya team that visited the County that cooperation between the media and local administration remains key in ensuring that stories from the County are told in the right way.
“I am pleased that our County security teams have been working very well with local and national journalists and we would like to uphold this. I encourage media workers to approach duty bearers and news sources with decorum and not threats or blackmail whenever they look for information”, said the administrator.
She added that the cosmopolitan nature of Trans Nzoia County calls for conflict-sensitive reporting, adding that media is a critical player in ensuring coexistence among communities in the area.
Ms Lillian Nafuna from the police service urged journalists to ensure they are properly accredited to avoid any clashes with security teams.
MCK Nakuru Regional Coordinator Mr Joseph Mecha affirmed the Council’s commitment to working with security teams, saying it is a critical component in ensuring journalists operate freely.
He added that the Council will continue building the capacity of media workers for enhanced professionalism and impactful cooperation with the County Government and the security agencies.
“The Council aims to ensure that journalists are accorded a favorable working environment to enable them to practice their craft and report accurately. This can only be achieved if we all work together”, said Mr Mecha.
At a visit to the County Government of Trans Nzoia headquarters, County Secretary Ms Truphosa Amere called for regular engagements between the media and devolved units, saying such will contribute to objective reporting of matters of national interest from the counties.
She urged counties to adopt structured ways of engaging the media through implementation of robust communication strategies.
“Trans Nzoia County government is working on developing a communication strategy. One of its annexures will be a media engagement strategy which will govern how we relate with the media. I urge the media to jealously guard its name through promoting ethical conduct”, said Ms Amere.
Trans Nzoia County head of Public Service Management Mr Samson Ojwang’ urged journalists to unite for the sake of safeguarding the profession.
He said the invasion of the industry by imposters masquerading as journalists was giving the profession a bad name and urged the Council to reign in on such elements.
“Just like the rest of the country, Trans Nzoia experiences cases of quack journalists. We are pleased with the steps the Council is taking to address this serious matter. Journalists should not be allowed to intimidate news sources”, said Mr Ojwang’.
The team later visited media houses in the region to sensitise them on ethical conduct and to assess their various needs.