The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called for a stronger partnership between Parliament and the media to promote transparency, accountability and public access to legislative information.
Speaking at a Parliamentary Liaison Committee retreat in Mombasa, MCK CEO David Omwoyo advocated for live broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings and online publication of enhance transparency.
He also urged open access to committee meetings for journalists and the public, ensuring accountability in legislative processes.
“ We should encourage live broadcasts of matters of national interest with exception of debates on matters classified as national security matters in Parliament. This calls for the need for a secure and functional press gallery and media center to support professional reporting”, he said
He challenged Parliament to uphold press freedom and the public's right to access legislative information.
He at the same time encouraged lawmakers to embrace digital media engagement by employing social media experts to manage their official pages, ensuring timely and accurate communication with the public.
"There is limited access to primary parliamentary information. The National Assembly must ensure that reports are not only accessible but also simplified for public understanding", said Mr Omwoyo.
He stressed the importance of ongoing media training on parliamentary affairs and the development of clear guidelines for effective and responsible parliamentary reporting. He urged the National Assembly to present parliamentary reports in a clear and accessible manner.
He also proposed a review mechanism for media-reported parliamentary proceedings to improve accuracy and prevent misinformation.
"Managing the nation and managing the media go hand in hand. The media will relate to you and cover you based on how you want your matters covered. Collaborating with the media is essential for a balanced and informed society. Parliament's engagement with the media directly influences public perception”, said Mr Omwoyo.
Recognising the number of former journalists in Parliament, Mr Omwoyo encouraged lawmakers to strengthen their media management skills to foster a better relationship with the press.
He suggested that media mismanagement contributes to the "brown envelope" culture and urged MPs to adopt a national communication strategy that ensures consistency, credibility and public trust in parliamentary reporting.
"What you do or what you say doesn’t matter. What people perceive or what the public hears is what matters," he emphasised.
Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei echoed the sentiments, highlighting the need for a structured approach to media relations in Parliament, ensuring journalists have unhindered access to information while maintaining parliamentary transparency and accountability to the public.