The Media Council of Kenya has called on stakeholders to provide information to the media to help in enhancing awareness creation on the HIV/AIDS scourge.
MCK CEO Mr David Omwoyo has urged the media to focus on issue-based journalism and ensure availability of information to the public.
"We also believe that public information such as this should not be paid for due to its relevance to the citizenry. As a Council we will work with the media and stakeholders to ensure that such information is available to Kenyans in the simplest and fastest way”, said Mr Omwoyo during the signing of a working pact with the National Aids Control Council to utilise the media in enhancing public awareness on HIV/AIDS.
He stated that the MOU will act as a way of facilitating access to public information on behaviour change, family support and other interventions.
Mr Omwoyo commended the renewed relationship between the two organisations, saying the two have combined efforts in the past to towards fighting spread of the disease.
NACC CEO Dr Ruth Laibon-Masha commended the Media Council for its efforts to support the media to professionally report on matters of public interest.
She underscored the role of the media in educating Kenyans about HIV/AIDS and highlighting its impact in society.
She emphasised the need for accuracy in reporting matters related to HIV/AIDS, adding that the partnership with the Media Council will contribute to a better understanding of various aspects of the scourge.
“It is important to us that as a country, we approach this disease with a view of eliminating it. Through this partnership we hope to strengthen our capacity to provide public education and advocate for enhanced HIV/AIDS response”, said Dr Laibon-Masha.
Under the partnership, the two institutions will collaborate on areas such as training, capacity building, access to information and strategic coverage of HIV/AIDS.