The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called upon young people to prioritise responsible news consumption and ethical content creation.
MCK Meru Regional Coordinator Jackson Karanja stressed the youth’s pivotal role in shaping informed public discourse.
“Young people are leading the charge in digital communication. With that power comes significant responsibility and it is therefore critical that you verify information before sharing and produce content that upholds truth, integrity and professionalism”, he told students at Vertex College in Meru County during a career talk.
He cautioned the students against misinformation and emphasised the necessity of ethical content creation.
Mr Karanja also addressed the impact of technological advancements on the media industry. He encouraged students to leverage new digital tools, highlighting their transformative power in content creation and the journalism profession.
“The convergence of communication and technology has unlocked new avenues in journalism, digital marketing, cybersecurity and media entrepreneurship”, he observed.
He reiterated the MCK’s dedication to promoting fact-checking, media literacy and adherence to journalistic standards in the digital age. He urged participants to actively champion credible information.
“Digital platforms and social media have provided unprecedented opportunities for youth engagement in content creation, journalism and public dialogue”, he said.
“However, it is crucial to remain vigilant against misinformation, cyberbullying and the spread of harmful narratives”.