FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA AND LIMITS:

Ruto Speaks to Journalists

By Maritim Kipngetich

Deputy President William Ruto. PHOTO/COURTESY

Kenyan journalists converged today at a Nairobi hotel to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day a day after the day was celebrated across the world.

Speaking during the occasion, Deputy President William Ruto said Jubilee government is committed to ensuring freedom of the media is guarded noting that he has heard reports saying Jubilee government is not friendly to the media.

“The laws we passed were meant to assist Kenyans and we are happy to note that since those laws were passed, journalists covered subsequent insecurity events in a descent manner,” he said adding that the media coverage of the Garissa attack was proper and did not inflict much fear on the parents of the victims.

 Ruto said corruption has been a threat to freedom of the media and journalists should resist this for the betterment of the nation.

“Corruption in the media makes the media not to deliver the society from the problems it faces,” he said.

H e commented National Media Group for publishing an article that criticized brown journalism adding that journalists should strive to feed the public with information that does not uphold the image of particular individuals, but that uphold the image of the nation at large.

“I call upon journalists to undertake their duties with integrity and watch performance of different sectors of the economy including the government,” Ruto said.

The DP also admitted that there is security challenge in the country, but the media should not concentrate only on that. He said there are many good things that are happening in the country including the 25% increase in power connectivity across the country since the jubilee government took power two years ago.

Ruto said digital migration in the media is vital especially now when millions of youth are adapting ICT systems adding that digital media also helps in keeping information for a longer time.

He also asked media houses not to be used by few individuals to channel their own views.

“The press should concentrate on stories that develop the nation; the media is the major driving force of the economy,” he said.