By: Emily Mikwa
Kisumu Journalists have been called upon to uphold integrity, accountability and professionalism to avert disinformation and produce meaningful stories.
In a breakfast meeting hosted by the Kenya Correspondence Association (KCA) held at the Pinecone Hotel this morning, Veteran Journalists comprising Oloo Janak, Araka Matara, Benard Kwalia, Joseph Ngome and Haroun Wandalo used the session to remind the journalists to trace back their footsteps to where they rightfully belonged.
Speaker after speaker noted with great concern the nature of stories currently being produced by most Journalists which do not make sense hence attract a lot of litigations.
While moderating the meeting, Mr. Oloo Janak of KCA said that the association was founded as a response to consolidate the voices of grassroot Journalists in 1996.
He added that KCA has trained 70 Journalists and 30 Editors and that it is a membership organization that Journalists are encouraged to join.
Mr. Janak challenged Kisumu Journalists to form a formidable team where they can do peer review, set up a media hub and develop a more serious approach on how to relate as professionals.
The Veteran called on Kisumu Journalists to produce balanced stories that paint a good picture of Kisumu City and not let other people tell the stories that stereotype Kisumu on the negative especially during these times of demonstrations.
Janak was flanked by the KCA board member, Mr. Araka Matara and the KCA National Treasurer, Mr. Bernard Kwalia who laid emphasis on matters professionalism and how to deal with disinformation by having factual information so that Journalists don’t betray the trust people have invested on them.
Mr. Haroun Wandalo one of the doyens in Journalism warned against copy pasting of stories. He advised journalists to ensure they attend the functions and be knowledgeable about the function, the past event of the same nature so that they can give the story a good background.
” Those who will excel in this field are those who conform to the dictates of this industry.” Said Mr. Wandalo.
Sentiments shared by Mr. Ngome also a doyen in the Journalistic industry, who shared with the team his journalistic experience since 1982. He also implored on the journalists to protect the profession by giving factual information to the public.
