The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhance professionalism in the media industry through collaborative efforts with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo emphasised that the foundation of the Council’s operations is rooted in the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya to ensure journalists are not only well versed in the ethical guidelines but also capable of upholding them in their daily work.
“Most cases of journalists’ violations of the code of conduct are a result of lack of capacity building. As MCK, our aim is to build journalists’ capacity through targeted and comprehensive training programmes designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to adhere to ethical standards in their profession”, said Mr Omwoyo when he met the Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait.
He noted that through workshops, seminars and ongoing professional development opportunities, the Council seeks to educate journalists on the journalism code and provide them with practical tools to make ethical decisions in real-time situations.
Data Commissioner Kassait commended the Council for its proactive stance in bridging the gap between data protection and responsible journalism through the enforcement of the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya.
She noted that such collaborations represent a significant step forward in ensuring that data protection regulations are understood and seamlessly integrated into the media industry’s daily operations.
“The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner looks forward to partnering with MCK Africa Media Academy to provide specialised courses that will enhance the understanding and compliance of media organisations with data protection regulations”, she said.
She stressed the need for the two organisations to closely work together to develop a code of conduct and implementation framework to guide media organisations on best practices for data protection.
“The two agencies should work together to develop a comprehensive handbook and training manual for journalists and media practitioners. These resources will serve as a guide for media houses organisations on data protection best practices and compliance”, she added.
Both organisations agreed to partner on other initiatives including brand audits, formation of a joint taskforce to work on key projects, training of senior staff and content production to raise awareness on data protection issues.