EACC and MCK train Journalists on accurate reporting on corruption

Journalists follow proceedings during a workshop organized by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission{EACC} and the Media Council of Kenya{MCK} on accurate reporting on corruption-Photo Courtesy  

By Dickson Odhiambo

September 29, 2022

EACC and MCK train Journalists on accurate reporting on corruption

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Media Council of Kenya have embarked on a training session to Journalists across the country on how to report on issues of corruption accurately.

The EACC and the Media Council of Kenya is currently conducting a three day workshop for Kisumu based Journalists that has seen 30 Journalists from Print, electronic and online being trained on reporting on issues of corruption accurately and effectively.

Addressing the Journalists during the official opening of the three days’ workshop at a Kisumu Hotel, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Deputy Director in charge of Education and Public Awareness Dr. Emily Mworia said the workshop’s aim is to strengthen technical capacity in the coverage and reporting of corruption and unethical conducts.

 

“This workshop points to the deepening collaboration and partnership between the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Media Sector in the area of capacity building. The workshop is very timely coming just days after the conclusion of the electioneering period. As the media your work of putting elected leaders to check is undoubtedly well spelt out. Corruption remains one of the greatest impediments to good governance and service delivery,” she says.

 

Dr Mwora says the Commission has continued to fashion targeted such programs to equip the media with the necessary skills and also avail relevant information to enable them carry accurate information in regards to its mandate.

 

“The partnership between the Commission and the media is a win-win proposition. Whereas you are looking for stories and information to communicate to the public, the Commission is on the other hand in hold of a lot of information beneficial to the citizens. As such our coming together is for mutual benefit,” Dr. Mworia adds.    

 

She says there is need for the media to ensure fair reporting of anti-corruption matters in the Country, adding that unfair reporting erodes public confidence in their institutions and negatively influences corruption perception of the Country.

 

“Through such partnerships, the war on corruption have received major boost and key milestones have been registered like in the area of asset tracing and recovery where so far, assets valued at more than 26.65 billion have been recovered. Undeniably, as media practitioners, you make major contributions in the fight against corruption either directly or indirectly. Through your journalistic work you are able to influence the opinions and worldviews of the society,” Dr. Mworia further adds

 

Media Council of Kenya Western Kenya Regional Coordinator Evans Teddy says Journalists doing investigative stories on corruption related cases should still observe the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalists in the Country.

Teddy says such stories on issues of corruption should remain fair, balanced and accurate where both sides of the stories are presented.

Teddy has urged journalists not to misuse the issue of unnamed sources in their stories as this will surely kill the credibility of such stories.

The MCK regional manager says the scribes should give those who have been mentioned unfavorably on stories the opportunity to reply on the allegation leveled against them.

On the issue of confidentiality, Teddy says news sources who have requested to remain anonymous should be treated so but Editors in the news rooms who are the gate keepers should be made aware of such sources from the journalists who have filed such stories.

He urges scribes to resist undue pressure from news sources who would want to influence the way stories are published or broadcasted.

“As a journalist, always do the right thing at all times in line with the Code of Conduct for the practice of Journalism in Kenya to avoid falling into the traps of contravening what the Code stipulates,” Teddy says.

He says once doing the right thing as journalists during their work, it will enable them to be also held accountable by the public just like they also hold the public accountable.