The Media Council of Kenya is training journalists and media practitioners across Kenya on elections reporting in preparation for the August 2022 elections in Kenya. The trainings target 1,500 media workers countrywide in preparation for the transitional polls.
To date, the Council has conducted 24 trainings, reaching out to 1,157 media workers in 31 counties namely: Siaya, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, Homa Bay, Migori, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, Garissa, Meru, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kirinyaga, Muranga, Nyeri, Machakos, Laikipia, Nairobi, Kajiado and Kitui.
The Council has also trained 50 editorial staff of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) on how to cover elections, during the same period.
A team of MCK accredited trainers are undertaking the trainings using the Guidelines for Election Coverage 2022 and the MCK Training Manual for Election Coverage launched early this year. Also incorporated in the trainings are officers from the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
Topics covered include skills in Ethical Reporting, Hate Speech and Conflict Sensitive Reporting during elections, Debunking Misinformation, Covering Opinion Polls and moderating Live Broadcasts.