Nairobi, Kenya, Jan 31 – The Media Owners Association (MOA) has committed to ensuring that the media plays an agenda setting role as the electoral campaigns leading to the August 9 elections continue to gather steam.
Speaking during the launch of the State of the Media Survey on Monday, the association’s chairman Stephen Gitagama said it is the responsibility of the media to check the facts it dispenses to its audiences.
He noted that lack of credible data has given room to misinformation.
“Let us set the agenda, let the politicians follow us, let the politicians come to us and we engage them. On the issue of misreporting, misinformation by our leaders, it is our responsibility as fourth estate to actually fact check, check those facts basic arithmetic, basic economics can lead us into getting good leaders,” Gitagama stated.
He added that the information disseminated by the media will help the citizens make better decisions about the choice of leaders.
Broadcast and Telecommunication Principal Secretary Esther Koimett, emphasized the need for protection of journalists noting that a free media plays a critical role in shaping the country’s agenda.
“We have also witnessed cases where journalists have been threatened or physically attacked in line of duty, I urge all media stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and ensure the perpetrators of such atrocities against the media are brought to book,” she said.
Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Chairman Maina Muiruri said that Kenya’s media performance in the recent times have been being shaped by several factors ranging from technological, socio-economic and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Some of the things happening to the media today are influenced by the effects of the pandemic,” he said.
He added that in global standings Kenya currently ranked at position 102 out of 180 countries by the Reporters Without Borders in terms of media freedom.
Muiruri stated that unbiased and objective reporting remains the key pillar in professional journalism.
“It is a big challenge for media to remain professional in such a polarized election like this one and it is not against media freedom to refuse to speak the language of the politicians to the people,”
Alfred Ambani who was representing Communication Authority Director-General Ezra Chiloba said the media will play a key role in shaping the elections on issues of public interest
He added that the authority further expects the media play this role while adhering to professional standards
He called on broadcasters to air appropriate content for consumption by their audiences.
