The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has urged journalists to amplify national values and cohesion in the country as a way of ensuring peace and cohesion in their reporting.
MCK Nakuru Regional Coordinator Joseph Mecha urged participants to help create awareness and encourage peace conversations among in the country.
“The media has the power to alleviate tension before the situation becomes intense. The kind of programmes aired in various media outlets should address root causes, effects of conflicts and feasible ways to mitigate the problem.” he said while addressing journalists at a meeting organised by the Council in partnership with Midrift Hurinet
Head of Persons Living with Disability, Nakuru West Stephen Ogutu noted the role played by the youth in contributing to conflicts. He emphasised on the need to empower the youth on peace building initiatives.
“Youth involvement in conflicts should be addressed in good time since they are among the targeted groups during conflicts. They should be encouraged to shun acts that can cause unnecessary tension in the country”, remarked Mr Ogutu.
The training which brought together women, youth, peace committees, religious leaders, Nyumba Kumi, Persons with Disability, and the Council of Elders called upon the media to create content advocating for peace and cohesion and urged the fourth estate to exercise objectivity and accuracy in their reporting.
They further asked the regulator to train journalists on conflict sensitive reporting and sensitize media owners to avoid interfering with the editorial process and build solutions instead of glorifying conflicts.