By Stacy Miruka
Practicing journalists based in Gusii region have been encouraged to take accreditation by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) seriously as it is a professional requirement to do so.
The call was made my Gusii Scribes Welfare Association (GUSWA) chairman Nyang’au Araka during an accreditation sensation session by MCK at the Kisii Digital Content Production Hub, located at Nyankongo area.
Also Read
The hub also serves as GUSWA office.
The organisation also operates as Kisii Press Club (KPC) and the membership presently stands at 150.
Araka said possession of a valid press card is a major requirement for practising journalists in the country.
“The first thing that identifies you while in the field is a valid press card,” Araka said.
Present were seasoned journalists as well as students on attachment at the Kenya News Agency (KNA), Kisii office.
“Journalism is a promising field and upcoming journalists should take advantage of new technologies and platforms to thrive,” Araka said.
He encouraged his colleagues to be aggressive and diversity their skills.
“Those who possess multiple skills will stay in the media space longer than those confining themselves to one skill,” the chairman said.
Araka noted that competition is high now than ever before since even people without a background in media training have entered the space.
He urged professional journalists to conduct themselves in a manner that can make them stand out.
He encouraged members to uphold the code of conduct for journalists so as to safeguard their reputation.
The Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) national chairman Hudson Matara urged upcoming journalists to be bold and read widely.
Matara said the media has its high and low moments and encouraged the trainees never to lose focus.
‘Don’t expect to get overnight riches as a journalist,” Matara said.
“Trust the process as it requires patience and perseverance.”
He advised them to be mindful of their dress code and uphold self-respect.
This, Matara said, can earn them respect from their news sources and the community at large.
Matara who also works for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) further to the beginner journalists to belong to professional groups as they dream to grow.
Stephen Maranga who is a member of the group said facts are key in journalism and journalists should not cook them.
“Put your safety ahead of everything,” Maranga said.
Jackline Mwende, who is an accreditation officer at MCK asked journalists to support one another and coexist as they go about their day to day work.
