Wetang’ula to journalists: Don't act in fear, don't fear to act

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has advocated for the freedom of the press saying it is a cornerstone of democracy.

Wetang’ula observed that media freedom plays a dynamic role in the economic transformation of society. 

He was speaking during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards 2023 Ceremony held at Safari Park in Nairobi on Thursday.

He urged journalists not to fear to act and not to act in fear while on duty saying they were key in the fight for democratic space.

"Some countries have benefited from such freedom by attracting foreign direct investments,” he said.

He encouraged the media fraternity to adhere to professional ethics by avoiding adversarial journalism, which he said leads to the undermining of their freedoms.

He noted that journalists have on many occasions highlighted pivotal issues of interest to communities and the government has often responded through various interventions.

"A case in point is the rather disturbing incident of the Shakahola forest massacre in Kilifi County, where a self-styled Pastor Paul Mackenzie misled a congregation to starve to death to meet Jesus. I have also asked our security agents to allow media to cover the happenings," he said.

The Speaker further urged the media to fight fake news that has always found itself in newsrooms.

He noted that the more people can access reliable and credible information, the more they are equipped to make informed choices and hold their leaders and governments to account.

The Speaker said that there is a need for the three arms of government to reconnect and build relationships that bind them with the media fraternity.

"I recognise and deeply appreciate that journalists are professionals who put their country and community above themselves, often risking their lives to bring us stories that spur change in different sectors of our society," he said.

He said that true journalism will always seek to expose injustices, clarify murky situations, give voice to the voiceless, empower people, change minds for the better, and even offer the promise of a better world.

He congratulated the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) for holding the awards for the last 10 years.

"The Annual Journalism Excellence Awards enables deeper self-evaluation, as journalists review their work, select their best pieces for peer evaluation; helping them gauge both their effectiveness and their professionalism," he said.

He asked MCK to keep the awards going since they aim to inspire newly employed journalists.

"I would also like to celebrate these men and women who do a sterling job despite the difficult circumstances and remain independent and credible," he said. 

The speaker promised to help journalists through lawmakers pass laws that will help them while in the line of duty.

Present at the event were Senator Allan Chesang (Trans Nzoia), Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, Charity Kathambi (Njoro), John Waluke (Sirisia), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani) and Basil Robert Ngui (Yatta).

Others were Kitayama Marwap (Kuria East), Joseph Cherorop (Kipkelion East) and Hon Sabina Chege (Nominated).