- Fake news is one of the major threats to the growth of journalism.
- Participants emphasised the need for accurate reporting.
The media has been challenged to take up its role in the dissemination of information while critically fighting the emerging threats posed by fake news.
Speaking during an engagement retreat between the leadership of the National Assembly and senior editors, participants emphasised the need for accurate reporting.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula asked the media to entrench professionalism in its work without fear or favour.
Wetang'ula who opened the three-day session, said Kenyan journalists must also embrace more training to equip themselves with emerging realities.
''Media plays a fantastic job, we will protect you,'' Wetang'ula said asking editors to shun advancing fake narratives.
''We see the media as partners who keep the political class in check. The National Assembly leadership shall continue to protect the rights and freedoms of the media.''
According to Wetang'ula, the media is here to stay but must fight perceptions of being used to fight other people unfairly through character assassination.
''Media is loved and hated in equal measure. Editors must ensure that young reporters work responsibly and that they are not victims of fake news,' he said.
National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge assured the media that his office will be open to ensure that accurate and timely information is available.
He also challenged the media to uphold accurate reporting that can be easily understood by consumers.
"Report as it is,'' he said asking journalists to familiarise themselves with the operations of Parliament.
Kenya Editors Guild member and Radio Africa Digital Editor Francis Mureithi appreciated the National Assembly for providing space for journalists to cover parliamentary proceedings.
However, he challenged the National Assembly leadership to protect and stand with journalists against attacks from the MPs.
"What is the National Assembly leadership doing to protect the journalists and if it happens do they stand with the journalists and condemn the attacks? The leadership should ensure the safety of journalists are treated as a priority," Mureithi said.
Mureithi emphasised that the media will continue to serve the public interest fearlessly and fairly while embracing the highest ethical standards and the code of conduct for journalists.
Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, who chairs the Communication, Information and Innovation Committee, urged the media houses to only deploy to Parliament journalists who are seasoned with vast knowledge.
He highlighted that the danger of having journalists who don't have knowledge of parliament can lead to misreporting.
"Journalists should understand the basics, which will help in understanding the reporting. If they don't, we end up having misinformation and misreporting which is consumed by the public," Kiarie added.