The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has expressed concerns about the working relationship between the media and the government.
In a statement released on Monday, July 22, MCK pointed out that, particularly about the way the public demonstrations are being covered, the relationship between the state and the media has devolved into accusations and counter-accusations.
Nationwide anxiety and confusion are caused by the continual accusations, which highlight a simmering conflict between the government and the media.
The statement said, in part, “What began as a perception about biased media coverage of the 2022 general election has now escalated into a full-blown conflict pitting the government against the media, resulting in unwarranted threats, blame games, coercion, intimidation, and bad blood.”
MCK observed that it is regrettable the media has complained about the absence of clear government narratives and an abundance of government viewpoints, despite the state employing the largest number of communications and media advisers ever.
The council made the point that it was time to find common ground and establish a cooperative partnership between the government and the media.
“The public interest shared by the government and the media includes a commercial and editorial relationship. MCK stated, “Using editorial position as a vehicle for retaliation for unfulfilled commercial expectations is no different from using commercial interests to get back at editorial misgivings.”
The council made the point that Kenyans are torn between a “good” administration that despises the media and thinks it is nasty and irresponsible, and a good media that portrays the government as out of touch and evil.
MCK noted that while poor media is a million times better than no media at all, poor government is still preferable to none at all.
“It’s time for the government and editors to come together and prioritize maintaining national unity by developing a framework for communicating important issues while honoring each other’s independence and obligations,” MCK said.
The council requested that the government issue an order to the police to cease intimidating journalists, while at the same time requiring the media to report on the conflicts in a professional manner by preventing the violence from getting worse.
Therefore, the council stated, “All media houses and outlets, both online and offline, are called upon to strictly apply the provisions of the Code.”
