The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) in partnership with the Ministry of Education has organized a journalism expo for students from the western region at Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls’ High School in Kakamega County.
The expo targeted Journalism Club students to help them understand news production and dissemination.
The event also focused on differentiating and balancing media content, both online and offline to make students appreciate responsible production of content and its consumption.
The expo was attended by more than 800 students in journalism clubs from local secondary schools’ and TVETs institutions from at least 38 learning institutions in the region.
MCK Director of Media Training and Development Victor Bwire, said the expo will help identify talent at the school level, so that they can start coaching and mentoring potential journalists in specific fields where they excel.
“Students can proceed to university or other institutions, but can also be self-employed through channels like YouTube and self-content to make money,” he said, adding, “This also helps the government in the creation of jobs.”
The students participated in different categories and were judged on news anchoring, podcasting, interviewing skills, news reporting, ethical reporting and sports broadcasting.
Oscar Busera, the Executive Secretary, Western Region Students’ Journalism Council, said the event is historically the first of its kind in the country.
“It’s important for the students to understand how to grow their talents in journalism, as young as they are in high school. There are a lot of opportunities for journalism students’ career-wise,” he added.
Busera further said that the students are excited to meet each other with similar interests in journalism and share media insights. The students will also get a chance to interact with seasoned journalists and learn firsthand from the practicing professionals.
Titus Kimakwa, Chairperson of the Western Journalism Clubs and a Teacher at Mukumu Girls High School, said the expo was critical, as nowadays media is diverse and the upcoming journalists need relevant training while still young.
“The expo provides a wider perspective and reinforces practical activities beyond the current curriculum. We are having so many problems with how information is disseminated everywhere with negativity and these sessions will help mould and guide students on how to communicate professionally,” said Kimakwa.
Nicholas Onyango, a teacher and Club Patron at Idah Odinga Girls School in Siaya County, appreciated the Media Council of Kenya’s efforts in horning student journalists.
Onyango said given how media has evolved with technology, there is a need for training for learners who are interested in media, so that we can have rapid result initiatives with the CBE curriculum and the growing technologies. Practical sessions will also help the students in professional interaction and self-reliance in this digital era.
The Kenya News Agency (KNA) participated in the event by exhibiting news gathering equipment and publications that narrated the evolution of the media organization over years.
They also showcased the Directorate of Information as the primary repository of development communication.
Also present were officials from the Office of the Data Protection Commission (ODPC), who trained the students on safeguarding personal data.
The Media Council of Kenya will host a similar event on the 24th of May in Homabay County.
By Winnie Wachira
