Media council of Kenya reaches out.

The participants in a conference hall at comfy hotel.

Media council of Kenya holds a meeting on March 3^rd in an attempt to foster professionalism and coexistence between the media and the public. Discussions on the role of journalists in the development took center stage at the forum in hotel comfy at Eldoret where the performance of the radio stations in building peace where conflicts exist and journalists’ ethics were discussed.

Participants included media lectures, Moi university students, practicing journalists from various media houses, representatives from the ministry of communication and information technology, members of the public among others. They were all taken through the council’s mandate and the finding of a report on the performance of radio stations in the country published by the media council.

Speaking at the forum, research and media monitoring officer at the media council of Kenya Amos Kibet said some of the complaints bordered on the quality of moderation, caller comments and inappropriate topical discussions, sensationalized and often immoral contributions. Mr. Kibet said most breaches affect vernacular radio stations. He urged journalists to put professionalism above everything else while reporting. “The media sets the agenda for society and the influence is immense, thus the need for responsibility among journalists” he said.

Media council deputy CEO Mr. Victor Bwire reminded the practicing journalists to uphold standards set by the media ACT 2013. Mr. Bwire urged Moi university students to observe ethics of journalism when they get into the field and also advised journalists to avoid subjects of conflict of interest when reporting or covering an event.

The council also intends to come up with programme where every journalist will sit for an exam before being given a license to practice journalism, “this will help in enhancing journalism profession” Mr. Bwire said. Council CEO DR Haron mwangi informed journalists that the media council of Kenya has been undertaking activities aimed at educating journalists and the public on the role and need for professional journalism, especially in relation to national cohesion and national development. The CEO thanked the participants and encouraged the journalists to ensure positive transformation.