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Journalists from Nakuru County have been challenged to exercise objectivity and focus on positive journalism as they go about their duties.

Speaking on Monday during a meeting between media, civil society and counties at Cathy Hotel, Media Council of Kenya deputy chief executive Victor Bwire said there was need for journalists to give priorities to issues that would impact change in society and avoid sensationalism that would not take them anywhere.

"We need journalists to be agents of change in society by reporting on matters development and not focusing on negativites all the time," he said. 

He added that there was need for media houses to also conduct audience research so that they could focus on public interest stories.

Bwire admitted that there was need for such forum so that ideas generated could be used to better the counties and the country at large.

Civil society representatives present at the function also challenged the county government to always avail information to the public because it was their right to know.

Kefa Mangenya who represented the Internal Placement and Advocacy  Community challenged the government to have a clear communication structure between it and the common mwananchi. 

He also challenged the media to bring a contrast between the ongoing ICC 'fixing' debate and the victims of the post election violence so that a balanced reminder would be disseminated to the public.

"I would like to challenge the media that even as you cover the ongoing 'fixing' debate, kindly remember to also highlight the plight of victims who are languishing in IDP camps," he said.

The county government through its communications officer Peter Mbae stated they always advocated a friendly working relationship with the media and that it was the media's fault that they always lacked the correct information.

He added that that they had structures in place to combat the aftermath of the El Nino rains.