Journalists in Kericho County have been challenged to raise the bar in professionalism and embrace emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Speaking at Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) conference hall in Kericho during the World Press Freedom Day celebrations, which drew journalists to reflect on the state of press freedom and the challenges brought about by the digital age, Gideon Kikwai, Secretary General of the Kericho Press Club, underscored the vital role of ethical journalism in an age dominated by digital transformation.
“AI holds the potential to enhance journalistic work by detecting patterns and generating reports at unprecedented speeds, but it also raises serious concerns, including misinformation, photo manipulation, biased algorithms, surveillance, and threats to editorial independence,” Kikwai said.
Kikwai further pointed out that artificial intelligence is reshaping the face of journalism from how news is gathered, facts are verified, and content is distributed, to how audiences engage with stories.
Meanwhile, Kericho County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture ,Livestock and Fisheries, Magerer Langat, reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to fostering a strong and transparent relationship with the media. He emphasized that the press plays a vital role in enhancing governance and public accountability.
“We as a County will endeavor to facilitate open access to public information, ensuring that journalists can readily obtain details related to government policies, development initiatives, and budgetary allocations to empower the media to keep the public informed and hold leadership accountable.” Said Magerer.
He also announced plans to institutionalize regular press briefings, aimed at promoting transparency and ensuring timely communication between the government and the public through the media.
Magerer further pledged to improve working conditions for journalists, particularly those operating in rural and underserved areas and support training and capacity-building programs for local reporters and community media houses, with a focus on enhancing professionalism, ethical standards, and the quality of reporting.
Assistant County Commissioner Peter Kibata was also in attendance at the celebrations, where he took the opportunity to applaud members of the press for their invaluable contributions to public safety and community well-being. He specifically recognized the media’s proactive role in raising awareness and mobilizing public support in the fight against illicit brews and substance abuse across the county.
“Collaborative efforts between government agencies and the media have always been very essential in fostering informed communities and ensuring the successful implementation of grassroots campaigns aimed at protecting the health and safety of residents. Journalists have been instrumental in supporting the County Commissioner’s Office, especially in addressing social issues like the fight against illicit brews,” noted Kibata.
Also present was Kericho’s Deputy County Police Commander, Mohammed Ali, who called for a stronger partnership between law enforcement and the media to enhance public safety and accountability.
Ali emphasized that closer cooperation between these two critical sectors would foster greater transparency and improve the flow of accurate information to the public.
“When you have news that concerns us, share it. And when we have information of public interest, we’ll share it with you. By working together, law enforcement can gain vital support from the press in raising awareness about safety issues, while the media can help highlight the challenges and successes of law enforcement in real-time.
This call to action is a timely reminder that a united front is crucial in tackling the complex challenges of modern policing and ensuring the security of the community,” said Ali.
As Kenya adapts to a rapidly evolving media landscape, the message from Kericho’s World Press Freedom Day emphasized the need to uphold journalistic integrity, accuracy, and ethical standards even in the face of digital disruption.
By Hillary Kemei and Gilbert Mutai
