• The event was attended by Bungoma Deputy Governor Jenipher Mbatiany.
• She urged members of the Fourth Estate to execute their duties diligently without bias.
Image: TONY WAFULA
Journalists drawn from different media outlets within Bungoma County on Wednesday joined the world in commemorating World Press Freedom Day.
The scribes planted trees at Bungoma High School as a way of giving back to the community.
While addressing the press in Bungoma town after the event, Bungoma Journalists Association chairperson Erick Lumbasi asked the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and other media agencies to ensure journalists' welfare is catered for saying they go through a lot of challenges.
"As media people, while on our daily roles of ensuring that we inform, educate and entertain the public, there are a section of people who want to harass us and derail our work,” Lumbasi said.
He called on all Kenyan journalists to remain united and focused and push the agenda for the media as a united front.
The West Media limited Journalist urged reporters to remain factual and disseminate verified information for public’s consumption.
"Social media platforms have taken over from the Media and that is the reason why we should verify our news sources before releasing them to be on air,” he said.
The event was attended by Bungoma Deputy Governor Jenipher Mbatiany.
She urged members of the Fourth Estate to execute their duties diligently without bias.
Mbatiany recognised the Press as the key watchdog in society.
"Without the media, the world will be in darkness. As we mark this great day, I want to appreciate the Media for their role of informing the society on daily happenings,” she said.
The DG reported that the Media has been very instrumental as an intermediary between the government and the people as well as offering a platform for the public to directly participate in developmental matters.
She further implored the Media fraternity to uphold professionalism in execution of their watchdog function.
"Even as you execute your duties and form the agenda for the public, always report without bias,” she said.
Mbatiany assured members of the Press that Governor Lusaka's administration has a well-defined commitment of ensuring journalists easily access information of public interest.
She said the regime will support and create a conducive environment for the Press to perform its duties efficiently.
"We are the leading county with a good number of media practitioners employed as our staff. We have your interests at heart, we understand your work ethics, we shall support you fully,” Mbatiany said.
She also urged the public, stakeholders and governments to accord the Press its freedom as enshrined in the Constitution as the primary third eye in the society.
"Let us all accord the media their freedom. The world deserves to know, it is not a request, it is a law,” she added.