The Media Council of Kenya has emphasised the place of professionalism and ethics in digital media. The Council says professional ethics applies both online and offline in news matters.
MCK Director for Media Training and Development Mr Victor Bwire underscored the importance of regular trainings in promoting professionalism among content producers.
“Media practitioners need to familiarise themselves with professional ethics in order to maintain professionalism when posting content on media platforms”, Mr Bwire told a professional engagement and skills upgrading session in Nairobi for digital editors, online content producers and video editors from Mediamax Limited.
He urged journalists to not only focus on constructive, solution-based and development-based journalism but also consider audience interest while ensuring their content is protected.
At the meeting, the importance of preparing for talk shows and content to be posted on digital platforms was reiterated. Journalists were encouraged to conduct research on their audiences, content and respond to their feedback.
“When preparing for talk shows or content to be posted on digital platforms, media practitioners need to research about the topic, select points that are relevant and review what they have prepared”, said Media Council’s Assistant Director for Training and Curriculum Development Ms Christine Nguku,
The Council’s Manager for Research Planning and Strategy Mr Leo Mutisya urged journalists to be cautious on matters touching on hate speech, especially as we head towards the electioneering period and maintain objectivity while airing sensitive matters that might propagate violence.
“Journalists should not use their platform to propagate hate speech during the electioneering period”, said Mr Mutisya.
The importance of fact checking was strongly accentuated in the training, with MCK’s Senior Officer, Research Planning and Strategy Mr Jacob Nyongesa encouraging media houses to establish fact-checking desks to help counter fake news.