The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has asked Parliament to
hasten amendments to the Media Council Act 2023 to strengthen its regulatory
mandate and align it with emerging industry realities.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo said the proposed changes would close
legislative gaps, give the council greater power to enforce the code of conduct
and bring its role in line with the new Code of Conduct for Media Practice
2025.
He spoke on Tuesday when he appeared before the Departmental
Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation.
“The amendments, which we have already submitted to the
Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, will clarify the Council’s functions
and enhance its authority as a regulator,” Omwoyo told legislators.
He noted that MCK had recently reviewed its journalism code
of conduct following a High Court directive, introducing new provisions on
child protection, digital media, artificial intelligence and gaming.
The revised Code introduces enhanced guidelines aimed at
promoting responsible journalism, protecting vulnerable groups including
children and victims of sexual violence and addressing emerging challenges such
as hate speech, ethnic incitement and religious intolerance.
It also provides ethical direction on user-generated
content, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, as well as content
related to gaming, betting and lotteries.
The council also renewed its appeal for parliamentary
support in procuring an AI-driven media monitoring system to boost its
oversight function.
Outlining the council’s recent milestones, Omwoyo said MCK
operates six regional hubs in Malindi, Mombasa, Busia, Kisumu, Eldoret and
Kisii, serving more than 2,900 accredited journalists.
To date, 9,023 journalists have been accredited, 84
violation cases documented, and several rapid-response measures carried out to
safeguard press freedom.
Committee chair John Kiarie welcomed the council’s input,
stressing that Parliament remains a critical partner in shaping supportive
legislation and ensuring successful implementation.
“Our role is to ensure ethical journalism by offering
legislative support, expertise and best practices,” he said, commending MCK’s
efforts.
He further encouraged the council to leverage local
innovation for the proposed monitoring tool, saying Kenyan youth have the
capacity to develop homegrown solutions.
Kiarie also urged MCK to deepen public participation around
the amendments to strengthen consensus and enrich the legislative process.
