Journalists have been challenged to execute their responsibilities without fear or favor of the sake of promoting transparency in the society.
Speaking on Saturday night during 10th birthday celebrations of Royal Media Services’ Egesa FM at Kisii, Nyamira Women Representative Alice Chae challenged reporters and news editors to perform their duties independently without external influence.
She said the society depends largely on the media for informative, educative, entertainment and exposure of development progress.
“Over the years, the media has played a key role in promoting transparency, good governance and educating our people. A free media means a free society and that’s why the constitution gives you people power,” she said.
“As journalists, the country expects objective, accurate and transparent reporting and even editing of news stories. As journalists, you must resist any attempts by powerful people who are out to gag you so that they get favorable coverage,” she added.
The former Egesa FM journalist challenged the media to help Parliament and other oversight bodies in the country by acting as watchdogs on behalf of the society.
“I am not saying journalists have not done a good job but I believe they play an integral role in promoting transparency. If they cannot play a watchdog role then our society is as good as dead. Parliament cannot be able to know all mannerisms of bad things happening around if the media does not expose them and that’s why reporting must be objective and impartial,” she said.
She also said Parliament will resist any attempts by ‘dark’ forces to gag the media.
She said as legislators, they will use all avenues to safeguard freedom of the media.
“As Parliament, we will always protect freedom of media from any attempts of dark forces to gag you. We will always use all avenues to ensure the freedom of media is respected,” she said.