• He said the PSC will set aside a budget to establish a modern media centre complete
• Star Digital Editor Francis Mureithi, representing the Kenya Editors Guild, lauded the collaborative efforts between Parliament and the media.
Image: HANDOUT
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula has assured editors that Parliament will strive to protect media freedom.
He told editors that the media should not view Parliament as their adversary, but rather as their partner.
Wetang'ula was speaking in Mombasa on Monday morning after opening a three-day National Assembly leadership and editors retreat.
The 2010 Constitution, he said, has clear provisions about freedom and protection of the media and the right to access information.
“This Parliament under my watch will protect that freedom of the media, there will be no compromise on the protection of right to information,”
“We will work with you, all we will do is encourage you to work responsibly. Don’t be victims of fake news because these days fake news override real news,” Wetang'ula said.
He said the PSC will set aside a budget to establish a modern media centre complete will all amenities including a cafeteria to enable journalist covering Parliament to have an easy time doing their work.
“Be rest assured that Parliament will be your first line of defence in defending your freedoms and rights to do your work. As we always say, I may not agree with what you are doing but we shall put our lives on the line to protect your right to do what you do,” Wetang'ula said.
He challenged media houses to ensure reporters assigned to Parliament are well-trained and conversant with parliamentary language and vocabulary to avoid misinforming the public about proceedings.
Wetangúla said they will look into chipping in to support training the journalist and coming up with a syllabus that will be used for short refresher courses for parliamentary journalists.
Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, who also chairs the National Assembly committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, urged the media to be cautious in their reporting.
“The media has a direct impact on shaping what Kenyans are thinking. You have the power to set the agenda of the day,” he said.
Star Digital Editor Francis Mureithi, representing the Kenya Editors Guild, lauded the collaborative efforts between Parliament and the media.
“We have more of a collaborative engagement than what used to be seen as media impeding on Parliament and Parliament is also seen to be impeding media work,” he said.
Mureithi said despite the efforts made, the media and journalists continue to be under threat especially while covering political functions.
He mentioned that some journalists were attacked and injured while covering last year’s general elections and the recent Azimio demos.