NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 29 – Media Council of Kenya (MCK) says mobile and smartphones are professional journalistic equipment and warns security officers against harassing journalists.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Omwoyo released the guidelines days after security personnel working for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s wife Dorcas Rigathi physically attacked a journalist for the Nation for using a phone to film an event.
Omwoyo urged the public, police, and security officials to acknowledge that journalists frequently use their cell phones while performing their jobs.
“The Council wishes to clarify that Mobile phones are now being used to not only take photos and videos but also record voice clips and undertake live broadcasting including live links,” he said.
“Professionally trained and accredited journalists and media practitioners should be allowed when needed,” the statement read in part.”
Omwoyo added that journalists should comply with security agents and show proof of their accreditation status whenever they are called to do so.
According to him, doing this will lessen the instances in which security personnel harass journalists when they are covering events.
The CEO nonetheless emphasized that despite the greater freedom given to journalists, they must still abide by the code of conduct.
“Journalists and media practitioners are advised to adhere to the Code of Conduct, specifically Clause 8 which prohibits the use of hidden cameras or phones unless there is no other way to access the news,” he said.
The Council called on universities and colleges offering media-related courses to include the use of mobile phones in their curriculum.
Omwoyo has also asked the media organizations and professional support groups to encourage the use of smartphones in practice.
