The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has urged media stakeholders in the region to lobby for robust laws to enhance media growth.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo says media regulation bodies play a critical role in society, hence the need to ensure conducive environment that will open the media space.
Mr Omwoyo encouraged visiting Media Council of Malawi officials to rally stakeholders towards creating laws that will strengthen the Council’s mandate. The Council on Wednesday, 15 February, hosted members of Malawi's media regulatory body who were on a benchmarking visit to understand the media regulatory landscape in Kenya and borrow from best practices to support Malawi's media sector.
While acknowledging the efforts made by the Media Council of Malawi in expanding media space in their country, Mr Omwoyo advised the team to pick lessons from the visit as they navigate dynamics around media landscape in their country.
“We enjoy a vibrant media in Kenya, as you will witness in your visit to various regulatory institutions and media houses. The Media Council of Kenya has always been in the forefront in safeguarding media freedom, while fulfilling its constitutional mandate. I encourage you to pick lessons from your engagement with these strategic stakeholders who support the regulators work”, Omwoyo said.
Media Complaints Commission Chairperson William Oketch said that the visit was critical for both institutions since each can mutually benefit from sharing mediation experiences.
“The destiny of African media is intertwined. The challenges and prospects of success cut across, hence the need for partnerships and experience sharing with colleagues from MCM. Ubuntu connects us all and is a rallying call for governments to protect media practice", he said.
Media Council of Malawi Executive Director Moses Kaufa commended the Media Council of Kenya and other key strategic institutions for the warm reception accorded to the team and pledged to incorporate the learnings in the Malawi media regulation review process.
"We share similar objectives and are here to draw lessons that will help us to improve the legal and policy framework of our institution in Malawi. This will in effect go a long way in helping us improve the Council’s operational capacity", said Mr Kaufa.
The three-day visit culminated in a visit to various media houses where representatives from the various media houses lauded the cordial relationship between the Council and media sector in Kenya, while recognising the critical place of the Media Council of Kenya as a regulator.