Media warned on biased coverage
Media Council of Kenya chairman Prof Levi Obonyo addressing journalist at Plaza Beach Hotel, Mombasa on May 28, 2012. Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU
By REBECCA OKWANY rokwany@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Monday, May 28 2012 at 18:05
Posted Monday, May 28 2012 at 18:05
A media watchdog has sounded the alarm over unbalanced political coverage by radio stations at the Coast.
If allowed to continue, the trend could spark violence in the coming General Election, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has said.
“We have received worrying reports concerning four radio stations at the Coast that are airing content and practising unbalanced reporting in a manner that is likely to propagate conflict,” MCK chairman Levi Obonyo told journalists at the Plaza Beach Hotel in Mombasa.
“The reports we have got say the broadcasts are not ‘wholesome’. Complainants have also told us they have been hurt by the content,” Prof Obonyo added.
He did not reveal the names of the stations, but said that they would be investigated.
“Issues of the Mombasa Republican Council and abusive comments made by some politicians have been aired by these radio stations and we are worried about what will happen during the election if these stations are not contained,” he added.
He challenged the Press to practice responsible journalism by ensuring balanced coverage.
At the same time, Prof Obonyo cautioned media owners and politicians who own media stations to comply with the Media Act.
The MCK boss challenged journalists not to fear going against their employers’ policies, adding that the council and the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) would support them in case they are reprimanded for practising objective reporting.
Information Secretary Ezekiel Mutua urged journalists to ensure the messages they project promote tranquillity among all Kenyans irrespective of where they come from.
“We are saying that journalists should discuss sensitive issues in national context that promotes peace amongst all Kenyans,” Mr Mutua said.
He also told journalists not to allow themselves to be used in influencing the type and manner of coverage by politicians and other sources of news.
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