The government, throughICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, warned that serious actions will be taken against perpetrators of violence against journalists.
Speaking when he inaugurated the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Board on Thursday at a Nairobi hotel, Mr Mucheru said ‘media freedom was a pre-requisite for democracy’ and reiterated that the government will protect the freedom of the press as guaranteed in the Constitution.
Mr Mucheru said the government was concerned over increased incidents of intimidation and attacks against journalists while handling their assignments – causing fear and anxiety among media practitioners.
Upcoming elections
The CS urged practitioners in the media industry to avoid coverage that propagates division and ethnic hatred in the society during the next general elections.
“I call on journalists to give balanced, objective and fair coverage of events and resist external forces who attempt to use media to advance selfish agenda that militate against the interest of the audience and readers,” Mucheru said.
The CS said the Ministry will work closely with stakeholders to instill professionalism in the media industry and shut out quacks as he lauded the Media Council of Kenya for developing a press card verification system aimed at screening unprofessional people who purport to be journalists.
“I urged the Media Council of Kenya to uphold its mandate to safeguard the rights and privileges of media practitioners and citizens. While ensuring the protection of journalists, the Council should also demand professionalism and accountability of media workers,” he noted.