Kenya marks World Press Freedom Day as Media Council holds awards ceremony

By ABIUD OCHIENG, MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015, Daily Nation (Kenya)

The Media Council of Kenya has organised the Journalists’ Convention and its Fourth Annual Journalism Excellence Awards gala which will take place in Nairobi Monday. The theme of the Journalists’ Convention is ‘Digital Media and Knowledge Society: Inclusivity, Development and Public Remit.’ The convention will focus on the contribution of digital media to national development including knowledge management, access and utilisation of information.

Some of the topics to be discussed include the Promises and Prospects for Digital Migration, Digital Migration and the Kenyan Economy in the 21st century as well as Challenges and opportunities of Digital Migration for Professional, Accountable and Public Interest Journalism. The Convention will run from 8m to 5pm at the Hotel Intercontinental while the Fourth Annual Journalism Excellence Awards will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) from 7pm onwards.

Media council of Kenya CEO Harun Mwangi looks on during the launch of the council's launch of the radio talk show report titled 'Free Speech or Cheap Talk?' assessing the application of ethical standards and professionalism in talk radio in Kenya at the Hilton Hotel on May 20, 2014 DIANA NGILA (NAIROBI) — Media Council of Kenya chief executive officer Haron Mwangi. Dr Mwangi says MCK remains committed to promoting freedom of the media. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

KEY PARTICIPANTS

Those who will take part in this key event will be drawn from the media, development partners, academia, research institutions, government institutions, journalists’ associations, editors and practicing journalists. “The Council remains committed to promoting freedom of the media, universal access to knowledge and its preservation as well as a free, pluralistic and independent media. “I am confident that we will have productive discussions that will play an important role in enhancing professionalism in the media in Kenya,” said MCK chief executive officer Haron Mwangi.

The event will be part of the World Press Freedom Day celebrations. This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme is: ‘Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, and Safety in the Digital Age’. Later Monday, the council will also launch the media monitoring report titled ‘Lenses on the mines; Media coverage of the extractive industry in Kenya.’

The Media Council of Kenya is an independent national institution established by the Media Council Act 2013 for purposes of setting of media standards and ensuring compliance with those standards as set out in Article 34(5) of the Constitution.