Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Chief Executive Officer Dr Ezekiel Mutua, and Acting Chair Gathoni Kungu (K), address the press, Naivasha during a National Cohesion and National Values conference in Naivasha, October 2, 2017. [Photo|KFCB]The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has asked the media to gag hate mongers and set agenda for peace during this electioneering period.Addressing the media in Naivasha during a National Cohesion and National Values conference, the Board's Chief Executive Officer Dr Ezekiel Mutua lamented the declining levels of decorum among politicians on the campaign trail.As he reminded the media about the important role they play in promoting peace, Dr Mutua asked media houses to promote peace as custodians of public interest. He said the country was at a critical phase and encouraged the media to guide the country in the right direction."We call on the media to set the agenda for peace by giving a black out to war mongers. The media can stem the wave of hate speech among the political class by refusing to amplify their irresponsible utterances," he said, Monday.The CEO dissuaded the media from facilitating live coverage of political rallies during the sensitive electioneering period in Kenya, asking editors and program managers to be more keen to edit out any comments that can jeopardise national peace.KFCB is collaborating with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the Media Council of Kenya to promote national cohesion through distinct but related mandates.The agencies are also collaborating to develop guidelines designed to mitigate the cases of hate speech and propaganda for war through all media platforms.The event was attended by KFCB Acting Chair Gathoni Kungu, who said the training of the KFCB team on cohesion was timely considering the dynamics the country was going through in the run up to general elections.

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