Community media journalists have been urged to uphold professionalism as they report on electoral processes.
Media Council of Kenya Chairman Mr Maina Muiruri says community media have a duty to their audiences.
“Community media plays a vital role in the society as they provide media pluralism, diversity of content, and representation of interests. They encourage open dialogue and give a voice to the voiceless”, said Mr Muiruri when he opened a joint Woman’s Newsroom Foundation (WON) and Media Council of Kenya training to enhance the capacity of community media journalists in reporting on gender issues in elections in Kenya in Nairobi.
Mr Muiruri said radio remains most listened to and is the only medium to survive digital disruption. He also spoke on the challenges affecting community media houses saying that most are unable to sustain themselves due to financial constraints.
“The COVID-19 pandemic was a major blow to most community media houses around the country due to dwindling finances. The launch of the MCK Media Houses Grant was able to assist these media houses to revive their operations”, said Mr Muiruri.
Mr Muiruri further noted that due to their impact in the society, some politicians prefer community media as a vehicle of spreading hate speech and strife among communities.
“As journalists, you are required to be alert and on guard. Don’t air content that will cause harm or conflict in the society”, he said.
He said that the training on elections coverage was important in equipping the journalists on how to professionally cover the elections, noting that most journalists were covering elections for the first time in their careers.
Ms Judie Kaberia, the Executive Director of the Association of Media Women in Kenya encouraged the journalists to be their best in the profession.
“Nothing can stop you from being your best if you have the passion and desire to do your job. We need to conduct ourselves ethically which opens doors for bigger things in the future”, said Ms Kaberia.
She asked the journalists to take advantage of collaborations while doing their work as it aids in information on sourcing and in framing of stories.
“Collaborations during elections coverage is important. Make use of the resources you have to get sufficient information on what you are reporting about. We are required as journalists to give accurate and authentic information to the public”, she noted.
Founder and Executive Director of the Woman’s Newsroom Foundation Njeri Rugene thanked the Media Council for its relentless support in ensuring that journalists and media practitioners are well equipped through trainings on elections coverage.
“I commend the Council for the role they have played in training over 2,000 journalists on the issues on elections coverage to date. With this, we are hoping to see professionalism in the coverage of elections”, said Ms Rugene.
The training targeting journalists from community media based in Nairobi is among a series of trainings undertaken by the Council to prepare the media for the forth coming general elections.