- Wetang'ula said the PSC has already approved a budget for the same.
- He said journalists will also undergo refresher courses.
Image: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has revealed that Parliament will soon set up an ultra-modern media centre for journalists covering the August House.
Wetang'ula said the Parliamentary Service Commission has already approved a budget to facilitate the establishment of the centre which will be equipped with modern equipment and facilities.
Speaking when he opened the National Assembly and Editors retreat in Mombasa, Wetang'ula said Parliament will protect the media at all costs.
''Parliament under my watch shall protect the freedom of the media, but all we ask for is that you work responsibly,'' Wetang'ula said.
The Speaker said the modern media centre will be one of its kind with enough working space, cafeteria and resource centre.
''We have agreed as the PSC and we have set a budget for it that we shall set up a fully equipped media centre with a cafeteria for journalists covering Parliament,'' he said.
Weteng'ula said that once set up, the media centre will facilitate seamless interaction between lawmakers and journalists while ensuring that media practitioners dedicate their time to covering the house.
''Journalists will no longer be walking to the streets to look for coffee or go to the members canteen, they will be served right where they are in their media centre,'' he said.
At the same time, Wetang'ula said Parliament will soon provide capacity building for journalists covering the National Assembly.
During the sessions, they will gain knowledge of parliamentary proceedings and reporting so as to bridge gaps.
Wetang'ula on Monday announced that the house will partner with media houses to have accredited reporters undergo refresher courses.
"I suggest that there should be a short course where journalists covering the National Assembly should be trained on the parliament proceedings," he said.
"This can boost the knowledge and know which terms to use, what stage of a bill they can start reporting and how to address certain things and people in the national assembly."