Kenyan journalists during a past briefing.[Photo/MCK]
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has expressed concerns over the recent wave of attacks on journalists terming the trend worrying.
Speaking in Nakuru after meeting with stakeholders in the Media industry, MCK chief executive officer David Omuoyo said that there are mechanisms for seeking redress should one feel aggrieved by the articles instead of attacking journalists.
He took issue with most communication officers aligned to politicians who he noted have resulted to threatening journalists after feeling that certain stories are negative against “Most journalists are threatened by communications officers aligned to politicians especially when articles do not favour them, it is unfortunate that they ignore set mechanisms in law if one is aggrieved,” he said.
According to him, in as much as journalists are involved in their day to day work, there was the need for them to verify facts and ensure that they report accurately.
“Journalists should also be keen on reporting facts and stick by the code of ethics and professionalism in their work,” he added. He stated that only two incidents of attacks on journalists have been reported so far this year adding that the trends should stop terming the attacks as retrogressive.