As 2022 August polls preparations begin, journalists in the Country are undertaking training on elections reporting because a lot is expected from the media to enable citizens make informed choices on issues and on candidates seeking electoral positions.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has taken the lead on this and has been organizing trainings across the country to sensitize journalists on election coverage.
The Council has challenged journalists to avoid partial reporting as the country enters into the electioneering period.
Media Council of Kenya Coordinator in charge of Rift Valley region Joseph Karanja called on journalists and media houses to remain responsible and be objective in their reporting this electioneering period to avert igniting tension among communities.
Speaking in Kapenguria during a training session for journalists based in West Pokot County and the human rights activities on election preparedness, Karanja said journalists have a major role in ensuring they pass the right information to the public.
“Journalists are receiving training on the need for neutrality .The aim is to enhance the journalists’ skills, allowing them to better report on the country’s impending elections and, consequently, improve the general public’s understanding of the electoral process. In addition to practical skills, there will be a specific focus on the theoretical aspects and approaches to covering elections,” noted Karanja.
Hate speech, he noted, can spark war and cause hatred between communities as experienced in 2007 and that journalists should be conscious of the fact that what they publish can incite.
“The media should remain responsible besides playing a patriotic role: This country belongs to all of us, including the media and we should guard the peace we enjoy at all times,” he said.
Karanja said the council is training journalists on elections and the things they should do before and after elections.
He noted that journalists have a huge responsibility to educate Kenyans on elections and ensure the reports they publish are both fair and factual.
“Journalists have a role to inform the general public,” he added
He noted that politicians go out of their way to misinform journalists and make statements that they cannot justify.
“They use propaganda to discredit their competitors. It is important for journalists to keep up to date and identify misinformation especially in the era of social media that is now being widely used to spread lies,” he said.
He said stakeholders in the media industry will be keenly scrutinizing journalists to ensure that they strictly follow media ethics and guidelines.
“The 2007 elections was a watershed moment both for the country and the media as the latter was accused of fanning violence that caused the loss of lives of hundreds of Kenyans,” he mentioned
He cited that objective reporting by the media during elections is key as it enables consumption of accuracy of information among political players and the electorate; hence mitigating potential conflicts.
“Adequate empowerment and training of the media is key in ensuring journalists cover the electioneering process professionally,” explained Karanja.
Karanja reiterated calls for responsibility by political actors when dealing with the media during elections.
“We will advocate for sanctions against politicians who attack the media. You cannot lead the people well if you do not engage constructively with the press”.
He called for collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to guarantee a conducive working environment for journalists through the elections cycle.
“We urge journalists to adhere to stipulated election reporting guidelines and uphold professionalism,” said Karanja.
He termed journalism as ‘leadership’ that comes with responsibility.