MCK urges Journalists not to help in spreading Fake new.

Media Council of Kenya Deputy CEO Victor Bwire addressing Journalists during a training session on identification of fake news.MCK urges Journalists not to help in spreading fake news-Photo By Dickson.

By Dickson Odhiambo.

December 23, 2017.

MCK urges Journalists not to help in spreading Fake news.

THE Media Council of Kenya has urged Journalists across the country not to help in propagating fake news in the line of their work.

The Council’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Victor Bwire says journalists should be on the lookout so as not to be part and parcel of the Fake News which is currently very rampant.

Addressing a training session for Journalists in Kisumu on Identification of fake News, Bwire said the issue of Fake News is a real threat to Journalism in the country hence those practicing as Journalists should be aware of it.

Bwire says the issue of Fake News is a big business for some people who are spreading it for their selfish gains.

Bwire says such people spread fake news through various channels and Journalists may also fall in this trap to help in spreading the fake news.

He says a number of Journalists have been caught off guard on the issue of Fake news and at some point have helped in spreading it unknowingly.

“The issue of fake news is real and journalists must be very much aware of this hence should not fall in the trap of helping to spread fake news in the course of their work as scribes,” Bwire says.

He urges Members of the Fourth Estate to constantly verify information that they come across in the line of duty since some of such information are fake news in nature.

Bwire further advised Journalists not to yield to pressure which is sometimes mounted by their bosses who have a tendency to follow stories which are sometimes appearing not genuine.

“It is high time Journalists across the country learn to stand firm and not yield to unnecessary pressure by some of their bosses who wants them to make follow up to some stories which may not be genuine in nature,” he further says.

He further challenges Journalists not to constantly doing negative stories but should also embark do positive stories which can help in encouraging development.

ENDS: