Media practitioners in Kilifi led by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), Tuesday, launched their Press Club aimed at fostering unity and improving their working conditions.
Speaking to the media, MCK Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr David Omwoyo, commended the media team for launching the Club, stating that it will help them work together, exchange ideas, and lay out various plans that will lead to the further development of the journalism field in Kilifi.
To support media practitioners in Kilifi, Omwoyo said that the Council would soon launch a Media Hub, that will serve as a central working station for all journalists in the area.
“We are grateful to be able to do this today and we are hopeful that in the coming days, we will be able to open a Media Hub, where journalists in Kilifi can work from because most of them do not have offices to work from and many of the media houses closed down their regional offices”, Omwoyo said.
He further extended gratitude towards the County and National governments, who through the County ICT Department and area Member of Parliament for supporting the journalists.
While addressing his colleagues, Kilifi Press Club Chairman, Mr Elias Yaa, said that their main objective is to bring unity, foster positive interaction among Kilifi journalists, and nurture young up-coming journalists.
Yaa called upon the media practitioners to work together as a unit, as they undertake their duties, noting that unity among them will fast-track their growth and the development of the County in general.
He acknowledged the role that the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) played in the actualization of the Club and encouraged them to continue offering their support, as they work towards opening a Media Hub in the County that will serve as a working space for all journalists in the area.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Media Council of Kenya for their support in bringing the Kilifi Press Club to fruition. Let us seize this opportunity to create a vibrant, inclusive, and impact-full community that celebrates the spirit of journalism “, Yaa said.
Kilifi North Member of Parliament, Owen Baya, congratulated the members for starting the Press Club, stating that it is a mark towards developing journalists, and the profession, and ensuring that society is told the right stories.
While citing some discrepancies that he had observed in the reporting of news, the MP urged the media practitioners, to exercise professionalism and originality within the media fraternity.
“As you write, I would like to encourage professionalism. This includes a high level of editing. Professionalism demands that editing be done before something is published”, Baya emphasized.