Kisii: Kisii Central Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Joseph Mwangi has encouraged journalists to work hand-in-hand with the government in amplifying development initiatives. Speaking during the World Press Freedom Day at the Kisii regional forum organised by the Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) in partnership with UNESCO, Mwangi decried the decline of coverage of development issues by media houses.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mwangi emphasized the imbalance in news coverage, noting that 80 percent of news content is about politics while only 5 to 10 percent focuses on development. He urged journalists to attend barazas to highlight issues of public interest that require the attention of leaders. Mwangi also stressed the responsibility of the media to inform community members about government initiatives at the grassroots level.
Further, Mwangi encouraged media houses to host experts on topics such as agriculture, health, and technology during talk shows. He assured journalists of their safety while working and advised caution when covering hostile environments.
The event gathered rural-based journalists, civil society organisations (CSOs), clergy, and representatives from county and national governments. Ronald Gisore, a CSO representative, acknowledged the media’s role in amplifying grassroots voices and called for collaboration between journalists and CSOs to advocate for policies protecting vulnerable populations.
Gisore also urged journalists to focus on positive human interest stories that can drive change in communities. KCA Chairman Araka Matara highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving newsroom efficiency, urging media owners to train journalists on AI tools. Matara also called on the Media Council of Kenya to include AI usage guidelines in journalism to prevent fake news and misinformation.
The forum addressed various issues, including AI’s impact on press freedom, journalists’ mental wellness, shrinking civic space, and the media’s role in socio-economic development.