The Media Council of Kenya released findings of the State of the Media Survey Report for the year 2021. The occasion served as a scorecard to highlight media consumption patterns in the country and trends in broadcast, print and online media.
Chief guest at the event Principal Secretary, State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunication at the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, Ms Esther Koimett applauded the Media Council of Kenya for taking stock of the media’s performance in line with its regulation mandate.
The PS urged the media to uphold professional ethics while reporting, adding that the electioneering period was especially sensitive and required objectivity.
PS Koimett lamented the waning public trust in the media and challenged the media fraternity in Kenya to innovate ways of enhancing public trust.
She pledged her Ministry’s support and urged the media to increase coverage of matters of public interest especially in rural areas and to amplify people’s voices.
“Based on the recommendations shared in the report, I would like to assure you of the support from the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs towards boosting media performance. To this end, we will continue engaging various stakeholders to ensure adequate capacity building of media workers through trainings and exposure”, she said.
Chairman of the Media Council of Kenya Mr Maina Muiruri urged media houses to continue reinforcing their role of informing, educating, educating and protecting the public.
“The MCK has been at the forefront in training journalists and media practitioners on professional coverage of topical issues. We will continue doing this to enable the media to cement its position in the society”, said Mr Muiruri.
Media Council of Kenya CEO Mr David Omwoyo urged the media to uphold professionalism and embrace audience-driven programming.
He clarified that the research was fully funded by the Council and conducted in line with its objective to identify gaps and support in professionalising media.
“This survey will also guide the Council’s programmatic interventions in promoting professionalism in the media”, said the CEO.
Assistant Director for Multi-Media Services at the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Mr Alfred Ambani who represented CA Director General Mr Ezra Chiloba stated that the media continues to play an important role in informing and covering the election processes and political parties’ activities.
“The authority will continue engaging with the media during this period to ensure they play their role effectively while ensuring compliance to the programming code’’, said Mr Ambani.
Chairman of the Media Owners Association Mr Stephen Gitagama stated that regular research through collaborations with the MCK, CA and government authorities will help in creating frameworks that give credible and consistent data.
He encouraged media houses to set the agenda by engaging the public productively and fact checking to disseminate accurate and reliable information.