The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called for stronger collaboration with the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) to address key challenges facing the media sector.
The challenges include sustainability, capacity building, and the promotion of professional and ethical standards.
MCK Chairman Maina Muiruri said structured partnerships within the media industry are critical in ensuring that interventions support both regulatory objectives and sector growth.
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“Collaboration within the media sector must be anchored on clear mandates and shared objectives. As the regulator, the Council remains committed to working with industry stakeholders to ensure professionalism, accountability, and the protection of the public interest,” he said during a meeting with officials from KEG at the MCK’s offices in Nairobi.
The Chair noted the need to align ongoing legislative and policy reforms, including the review of the Media Council Act, to reflect current technological changes and address regulatory overlaps within the sector.
MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo emphasised the importance of capacity building, particularly as the country prepares for the upcoming electoral processes.
“We must invest in training and equipping journalists, especially as we approach another election cycle. Many journalists will be covering elections for the first time, and they must be prepared to report accurately, ethically, and responsibly,” said Mr Omwoyo.
He urged closer collaboration in implementing joint training programmes, reviewing election coverage guidelines, and strengthening accreditation processes to uphold professional standards.
Mr Omwoyo also highlighted the need for the media to adapt to emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence and misinformation, noting that proactive engagement will be key in safeguarding credibility and public trust.
“Through collaboration, we can build the capacity of journalists to navigate technological disruptions while maintaining the integrity of journalism,” he added.
He further called for resource optimisation through shared initiatives such as joint training, shared workspaces, and expanded access to regional offices to support journalists across the country.
On sustainability, Mr Omwoyo underscored the need for a coordinated industry approach to address financial pressures facing media houses, including engagement with government institutions to resolve pending obligations and support the development of a media sustainability framework.
Kenya Editors Guild President Zubeidah Kananu said collaboration within the sector is essential in addressing emerging challenges and strengthening the role of the media in society.
“As a sector, we must work together to build the capacity of journalists, uphold professional standards, and respond to emerging issues such as misinformation and technological disruption,” she said.
She emphasised the importance of joint initiatives in training, accreditation, and resource sharing, particularly to support community media and journalists operating in underserved areas.
Ms Kananu also highlighted the need to prioritise journalist welfare, including mental health support, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the sustainability of the sector.
She further called for a unified approach to election coverage, including reviewing existing guidelines and establishing coordinated mechanisms to support journalists during the electoral period.
Present at the meeting were board members from both organisations who expressed a shared commitment to work together to enhance media development and professionalism in the country.
The meeting explored the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MCK and KEG, which will provide a framework for collaboration in areas such as capacity building, ethics, accreditation, and resource sharing.
Following the meeting, stakeholders held an Editors’ Press Freedom Café where discussions focused on the state of press freedom, media sustainability, and information integrity.
Participants emphasised the need for collaboration to address financial challenges facing media organisations and called for renewed focus on conflict-sensitive journalism ahead of future elections.
The engagement explored ways of strengthening partnerships within the media sector and advancing coordinated efforts to support a professional, sustainable, and resilient media industry.
-This story and photos were first published by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK).
