Kwale Women representative Zulekha Juma Hassan (C ), Media Max Kwale based reporter Munira Shaban Mandano (Left in a blue blouse) together with other journalists after the meeting. [Photo/Maxwell]
Kwale Women Representative Zulekha Juma Hassan held a meeting with Kwale County-based Journalists to forge a partnership.
Zulekha who had shown interest in improving the lives of Children, Youth, Women, and Persons living with disabilities in Kwale County since she was a nominated MP in 2013, said that working with journalists was the best way the county can progress and realise its goals and correct its failures as well.
She said that journalists were very important stakeholders in the county’s development and especially the coastal County governments and working with them will enable the counties to realise their development goals.
He said that political leaders would also achieve their goals if they partner with Members of the fourth estate since they are also determined to focus on developing the counties they work or come from.
“As leaders, we should not fear the media, we should always dialogue with journalists, share ideas and make strong working relations” she added.
She appealed to Coastal politicians not to judge journalists as enemies but bring them to the development debate and let them share their ideas too.
“As leaders do not fear being criticized by journalists they shape you up and make you a responsible person in the community” added Zulekha.
She, however, asked journalists to always focus on development in the county, verify facts and move together with leaders for a noble development course.
She urged journalist to highlight community-based issues that would bring change in the society and focus on pertinent issues that would deter Kwale county residents from engaging in old and poor cultural practices.
She pointed out early marriages, child labor, education, self- employment among the youth, economic activities and gender-based violence among other social issues that need adequate focus so that the community can make a positive judgment and abandon poor cultural practices.
On her part, Media Max Kwale County News and features reporter Munira Shaban Mandano said that journalists were wrongly accused by politicians who have failed in improving the living standard of locals and she appealed to Kwale leaders to value the work journalists have done and their contribution to social growth.
“We are based in Kwale County and we know the problems facing our own community, our objective is also to make local leaders work and be accountable while in the office” she said.
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