Scribes have been challenged to remain true and work within their lines of professionalism when covering elections to avoid misleading the public.
Elections Reporting Consultant of Internews Media, James Orange said that most journalists lacked professional and commitment at heart a fact he said can easily hurt the electoral process.
He cautioned journalist that media is a powerful tool that can either be used to destroy or build urging them to use it responsibly for the sake of the country as they cover elections.
“Lack of professionalism is a big blow to the development of the country security-wise,” he noted.
He added that it would be important for journalist to be taking oath before covering elections so that they can be working professionally noting that most of unethical cases arise up due to lack of loyalty to the journalism profession.
Orange was lecturing Coast region’s journalists during a one day workshop over covering elections at Sairock hotel in Mombasa where he made the remarks advising them to uphold their professionalism.
Orange told journalists to focus on issues rather than individuals and avoid sensationalizing news instead report objectively.
“Sensationalized news have always had a negative effect in the country and journalist should have in mind that their professional is of verification because members of public depend on them all the time,” he noted.
He advised scribes to be focused on coming up with constructive agendas instead of being alarmist in their reporting.
The consultant went further to add that “Reveal loopholes in the process of elections if they are there and not just pinpointing the weakest points and also understand the electoral process before giving it to Kenyans,” said Orange.
He said it would be difficult for the common Kenyans to understand the electoral process if those analyzing for them are not familiar to it.
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