The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has urged media organisations to maintain high levels of professionalism, warning that ethical compromises, especially in online content, pose a growing threat to the industry’s credibility.
Speaking at an in-house training session at Mo Radio in Mombasa, Victor Bwire, MCK Director of Media Training and Development, emphasised the necessity of upholding journalistic standards regardless of the format or audience demands.
“Audiences seek out trends and relatable content, but professionalism is not negotiable,” he stated.
Bwire also expressed concern over the rising instances of plagiarism, stressing its basic nature: “Acknowledging sources is fundamental integrity; no newsroom should compromise on that.”
He further addressed common misunderstandings regarding gambling, pointing out that since it is a legal business, it demands responsible, accurate, and sensitive reporting.
“If the law recognises it, the media must cover it without sensationalism,” he added.
Officials at Mo Radio were advised to rigorously monitor both audience submissions and the music played during PG-rated programmes, as broadcasting stations bear full accountability for all published content.
Furthermore, Bwire highlighted the increasing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cautioning journalists against using it as a replacement for human editorial judgement.
“AI can assist with ideas and research, but the final story must be verified and owned by a human journalist,” he stressed.
The MCK Regional Coordinators for Mombasa and Kisumu, Maureen Mudi and Teddy Oundo, respectively, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to reinforcing editorial and operational standards across community and online media, ensuring newsrooms consistently serve the public interest.
John Gatome, Mo Radio’s Head of Technical Broadcast and IT, commended the MCK’s efforts to boost professionalism and requested further capacity building for his staff on various issues.
