The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has trained journalists drawn from Kajiado and Machakos counties on the ethical integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism.
Speaking during a one-day capacity-building forum held in Kajiado, MCK Director for Media Training and Development, Victor Bwire, urged journalists to adhere to existing media laws and professional standards even as they embrace emerging technologies.
He emphasised the importance of upholding core journalism principles, including truth and accuracy, independence, fairness, and impartiality.
With the integration of artificial intelligence increasingly shaping news production and public communication, MCK officials said it was necessary to guide journalists on responsible usage.
MCK’s Manager for Media Monitoring and Research, Dinnah Ondari, noted that while AI can enhance efficiency in newsrooms, it must be used professionally and ethically.
She warned that failure to disclose the use of AI undermines transparency, credibility, and public trust in journalism.
“Publishing content generated with AI without disclosure is contrary to the MCK Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism, particularly Section 27 on emerging technologies,” she said.
Ms Ondari further urged journalists to verify facts before publication, avoid sensationalism and bias, protect privacy, and comply with media laws.
On the impact of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) on journalism, MCK’s Manager for Accreditation and Compliance, Rebecca Mutiso, said female journalists are increasingly being targeted through online harassment and intimidation.
“Social media is an essential tool for journalists to share and source stories. We trained them on how to identify technology-facilitated gender-based violence, protect themselves, strengthen their digital security, and report such incidents,” she said.
The scribes were also taken through the revised Code of Conduct for the Media Practice, 2025.
Chairperson of the Kajiado County Media Association, Peterson Githaiga, commended MCK for organising the training, saying journalists are now better equipped to integrate AI ethically in their work.
He called on the council to organise more similar forums to enable journalists to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies.
By Diana Meneto
