The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called upon political parties to provide journalists with access to information.
The Council has at the same time urged political actors to create a conducive working environment for media workers.
MCK Mombasa Regional Coordinator Ms Maureen Mudi reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to safeguarding journalists’ rights and asked political parties to recognise the connecting role served by media between them and the public.
“We have witnessed occasions where journalists have been attacked while in the line of duty. Let’s create a safe space for them to work to inform the public. Without an informed public, democracy cannot thrive,” said Ms Mudi at the launch of the Office of Registrar of Political Parties Offices in Mombasa County
Ms Mudi said that a free and independent media is the cornerstone of a democratic society promoting transparency, accountability, and informed citizenry. Journalists therefore have a professional obligation to report objectively and provide balanced coverage of political events without undue influence or obstruction.
She called for collaboration between the media and the political actors and emphasised the need to train journalists in political reporting.
“It’s important to engage journalists for them to understand what they need to report on. If we are creating a democratic space, let us start with the people who are supposed to disseminate information to the masses,’’ she said.
Register of Political Parties Ms Ann Nderitu appealed to the media to be at the forefront in creating awareness on political education, especially on vying for political seats, party registration and other political processes.
“I urge the media to educate the public on political parties’ processes. It is not good that every day you write negative stories on political parties. I assure you that our office is taking good care of the political parties,” said Ms Nderitu
Ms Nderitu welcomed the idea of collaborating with the MCK to capacity build journalists to hone their skills in political reporting.