The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has reiterated calls for prosecution of police officers who attacked journalists during the recent protests witnessed across the country. Stakeholders at a Government and Media Leaders Dialogue in Naivasha called for enhanced collaborations and review of media regulation mechanisms.
MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo called for “common ground between government and media and not blame games as both need each other for the good of the country”.
“We need to stop branding the media as being anti-government while the media should also play its rightful role within the prescribed standards. Anyone fighting the media is out of order given the critical place of media in democracy and governance. There needs a mechanism for editors and government to constantly dialogue in order to improve relations”, said Mr Omwoyo.
Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Secretary General Eric Oduor called for concerted efforts to improve the media environment in Kenya. “Regrettably, happenings in our media space continue impacting Kenya’s World Press Freedom Index ranking. As media industry players we are ready to engage with government at all levels. By engaging effectively, we will be able to collectively seek solutions to the challenges ailing the media industry especially at these critical times in our country. Every institution is fundamental in moving our country forward”, he said.
Kenya Editors Guild President Zubeida Kananu described as ‘insincere’ efforts to address attacks against members of the Fourth Estate.
“We remain relentless in calling for an end to attacks and threats against journalists. However, no substantial progress has been achieved and violence targeting the media has heightened. We nevertheless hope that appropriate action will be taken against those attacking journalists. At the same time, the media industry needs to align ethical conduct with the current times”, she said.
National Police Service Spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango defended the service and decried misinformation about law enforcement especially during riotous situations and relationship with the media.
“The relationship with the media is under the police service standing orders and is taken very seriously. Police officers do not target the media and when this happens they have to be investigated by the Internal Affairs Unit and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority. Nobody is above the law. Let us not vilify the entire police force when a few officers make mistakes”.
Director General, Communications Authority of Kenya David Mugonyi underscored the place of free and independent media in Kenya and called for responsibility by all actors.
"Whether in government or the media, we all have a duty to the Constitution and the laws of this country: this is our shared foundation. This is what unites us. A media that is truly free is one that is chained to the truth, to objectivity, to impartiality, to fairness and to a diversity of opinion. The government has a responsibility to allow journalists to honour their responsibility to society without intimidation or coercion", he said in a speech read on his behalf by Communications Authority of Kenya Director for Corporate Communications Christopher Wambua.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications at the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Prof Edward Kisiang'ani called for more engagements between the Government and media.
“I assure all that the Ministry is committed to upholding press freedom in Kenya. We appreciate that these are challenging times where misinformation remains a real threat and which must be addressed by all players. Such engagements are key for industry conversations and I commend the Media Council of Kenya for leading them”, said Prof Kisiang’ani in a speech read by Secretary of Information Judy Munyinyi.