Work with the media, leaders told

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has expressed concern over the working conditions of journalists  in the counties.

The Council's Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Programmes Manager Victor Bwire, said journalists are having difficulty accessing information from the county governments due to constant threats and intimidation from county leaders.

"I appeal to MCAs and governors to be tolerant. Journalists are not enemies but partners in development. The County Government Act requires that counties work closely with the media to allow public access to information," Bwire said.

He said the council has mapped out areas that are hostile to journalists and plans are underway to sensitise the top leadership in these counties on the role of the media and how the two institutions can partner to make devolution work.

"Kenyans rely on the media for information. MCAs and governors need to appreciate that the media must exist because the public has a right to access information as enshrined in the Constitution," Bwire said.

He added: "Harassing and intimidating journalists is not healthy for democracy and open governance. If they are not allowed to access information the public will be left in the dark."

 CONDEMNED SCRIBES

Bwire also condemned the incident where two Siaya based journalists were allegedly roughed up by Governor Cornel Rasanga.

Siaya County Communications Director Bonny Odinga, has since denied the allegations that the governor assaulted the journalists.

Odinga yesterday took to Facebook where he slammed journalists working in the counties.

He posted: "What is the definition of a 'journalist'? Are you registered with MCK, did you go to journalism school? This profession in the counties is going the 'boda-boda' way! Extortion, blackmail and conman ship all in the name of journalism. Media outlets MUST insist on having their stringers at least QUALIFIED by some form of registration."

Bwire said the Council is very concerned that majority of the county assemblies do not have a Press gallery and journalists end up being denied access to county legislative chambers.

Last week in Kisii, there were attempts by a section of MCAs to block journalists from covering the impeachment motion of speaker Kerosi Ondieki.

Journalists were ordered to watch the proceedings from the public gallery and keep their cameras away until a section of MCAs intervened and the stranded reporters were eventually allowed to cover the proceedings.

When Kisumu County held its first County Development Board last month, which was disrupted by a section of rowdy residents, Senator Anyang Nyong'o was on record venting his anger on a People Daily journalist whom he accused of misquoting him.

"Please do not tell lies to the public, I will take you to court and fleece you to death," said the visibly furious Nyong'o.

 MEDIA FREEDOM

In Migori County, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation journalist Joseph Owino told The Standard that a month ago, he was clobbered by an Administration Police officer attached to the governor. 

"The Agriculture cabinet secretary had toured a water project in Nyatike and I witnessed a confrontation between the governor and an MP. I climbed a gate to get a better view and that is when the police officer hit me with a club," recalled Owino.

Article 33 and 34 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of the media yet a report released last week shows that the global ranking of Kenya's media freedom has dropped by 19 places due to retrogressive laws being passed by Parliament.

The report by Reporters Without Borders put Kenya at position 90 out of the 190 countries surveyed.