Media leaders from Kenya and China have called for stronger newsroom partnerships, cultural exchanges and factual reporting to deepen people-to-people ties between the two countries and counter harmful stereotypes.
Speaking during a plenary discussion at a Nairobi forum on Kenya-China relations on Thursday, editors and media executives said journalists have a crucial role in promoting mutual understanding, fostering economic opportunities and ensuring citizens receive accurate information about both nations.
The session, moderated by Radio Africa Group's Digital editor Francis Mureithi, focused on opportunities and challenges in strengthening people-to-people connections and explored practical recommendations for closer cooperation between Kenyan and Chinese media organisations.
Star Publications Business Editor Francis Openda said the media should begin by addressing misconceptions within Kenya itself before tackling international stereotypes.
"There is so much misconception and untruth about our own communities. The media must help break down those walls and foster understanding among people," Openda said.
Drawing lessons from China, he said media can play a powerful role in promoting national cohesion and integration despite ethnic and cultural differences.
Openda also challenged journalists to move beyond traditional reporting and explain the impact of major policy decisions and economic agreements.
"We must move beyond simply reporting the five Ws and one H. We need to explain what opportunities agreements such as China's zero-tariff policy create for Kenyan farmers, exporters and businesses," he said.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) Editor-in-Chief Maina Kang'ethia emphasised the importance of understanding each other's cultures as the foundation for stronger relations.
"We need to understand Chinese culture, and they need to understand Kenyan culture. Only then can we report about each other accurately and fairly," he said.
Kang'ethia said Kenya could learn valuable lessons from China's development journey, particularly in poverty reduction, industrialisation, and patriotism.
"One thing we can learn from China is nationalism. They love their country deeply and use their media to tell stories about development and opportunities," he said.
He noted that media partnerships between Kenya and China have already yielded significant benefits through journalist exchange programmes and training opportunities.
KBC, he said, has maintained a decade-long partnership with China's Xinhua News Agency, enabling journalists to acquire new skills and learn emerging technologies.
However, Kang'ethia identified media sustainability, declining advertising revenues and technological gaps as major challenges facing Kenyan media houses.
"We must invest more in digital platforms and modern technology if we are to remain competitive," he said.
Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) Executive Director Queenter Mbori called for greater inclusion of women's voices in conversations about international partnerships and media cooperation.
She said women remain underrepresented in media ownership and leadership despite constituting a significant portion of the workforce.
"Representation matters. When we talk about partnerships and people-to-people connectivity, we must ask where the voices of women are," Mbori said.
She cited recent findings showing women account for only a small fraction of media owners and top newsroom leaders in Kenya.
Mbori proposed stronger collaboration between Kenyan and Chinese media professionals to share experiences, benchmark best practices and promote gender-sensitive reporting.
She also urged journalists to confront unconscious biases that often influence reporting and contribute to stereotypes.
"We already have professional codes of conduct that require truth, balance and fairness. The challenge is ensuring that our reporting remains guided by those principles," she said.
Deputy Chief of China Daily Africa Bureau Wang Xiaodong said media partnerships can advance global understanding by promoting respect for different cultures and civilisations.
"Many conflicts in the world today arise from lack of understanding. Media can help people appreciate cultural diversity and learn from one another," Wang said.
He urged journalists to avoid portraying one culture as superior to another and instead focus on promoting mutual respect and dialogue.
Capital FM's Editorial Director Bernard Momanyi, on his part, said the media has a responsibility to promote factual reporting and counter misinformation, especially in the digital age.
“Media is trusted. Everything the media says, the public tends to believe. That is why we have a responsibility to tell the truth and correct misinformation whenever it arises. If a misconception exists, it is our duty as journalists to provide accurate information and help audiences understand the facts,” Momanyi said.
“As technology continues to shape communication, the challenge for journalists is to ensure that speed does not come at the expense of accuracy. Our role is to verify information, provide context and ensure the public receives factual reporting that strengthens understanding rather than fuels misconceptions."
Participants also highlighted the growing role of digital platforms and artificial intelligence in connecting people across borders while warning about the dangers of misinformation and disinformation.
The forum concluded with calls for increased content sharing, journalist exchanges, joint productions and fact-based reporting as tools for strengthening Kenya-China relations and fostering deeper connections between citizens of the two countries.
Speakers agreed that while governments may sign bilateral agreements, lasting partnerships ultimately depend on how well ordinary people understand, trust and engage with one another.
