Kenya's media fraternity is pushing Parliament for the swift enactment of the Code of Conduct for Media Practice, 2025, a landmark document designed to bolster ethical journalism and restore public trust in an evolving digital landscape.
Led by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and key industry associations, stakeholders have urged Members of Parliament to fast-track the code's implementation to address contemporary media challenges.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation on Tuesday, July 22, media leaders affirmed that the updated code represents a crucial step forward for professional reporting.
They emphasized that the document has undergone extensive public participation, garnering overwhelming support from practitioners across the industry.
The team that took the Code to Parliament included representatives from the Kenya Editors' Guild (KEG), Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), Media Owners Association (MOA), Digital Broadcasters Association (DBA), Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association (KPJA), and the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK).
MCK CEO David Omwoyo and PS Stephen Isaboke, on July 3, informed the National Assembly’s Committee on Delegated Legislation that stakeholders consulted were representatives from journalist unions and various media organizations.
New Code
The revised code introduces robust provisions aimed at safeguarding children and vulnerable groups, combating hate speech, and ensuring greater accuracy and accountability in a rapidly changing media environment.
Its swift ratification is deemed essential by stakeholders not only to enhance media professionalism but also to protect press freedom under Article 34 of the Constitution, setting a new benchmark for media integrity in Kenya.
According to the stakeholders, the new code of conduct will also safeguard public interest and media freedom.
The code of Conduct introduces the new sections on user-generated content, social media, artificial intelligence, gaming, and betting.
In the new code, the gaming and betting content should be separated from the general news reported.
Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo and Media Council of Kenya CEO David Omwoyo outlined the features entailed in the code of conduct during the formal launch on May 19.
They explained that the Code ensures accuracy, balance, fairness, transparency, and consent in the media industry.
To prevent the media from airing inappropriate or non-compliant content, a mandatory seven-second delay was introduced in live broadcasts.
