Corruption among journalists and news sources is killing professionalism in the media industry an expert has said.
Jutta vom Hofe who is the Country Manager Kenya, DW Akademie said more journalist had embraced graft.
She was addressing journalism students in Maseno University on Thursday during a Journalism Summit held in Siriba Campus.
She said most media houses around the world, Kenya included, run news stories that have already been influenced by sources who pay for them to be run or tailored in a specific spin.
“Paid news articles suffer decreased objectivity during their reporting, journalists should be critical and professional when relating with their sources,” said Ms Jutta.
While speaking at the same event, Lillian Mwongeli, a BBC staff said journalists who take bribes risk losing their jobs besides tinting the image of the journalism profession.
She also said taking ‘blue envelopes’ compromises the work done by the journalist involved.
“This prompts you to cover their stories at angles that will please those paying for the news,” she said.
Ms Jutta urged employers in the media industry to provide good working conditions for their staff.
She said this will help eliminate avenues that may prompt journalists to take bribes.