The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has urged media stakeholders to adopt a collaborative and inclusive approach in developing strategies for incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the industry. David Omwoyo, CEO of MCK, emphasized that industry players should engage constructively in the ongoing national and sectoral discussions surrounding AI to address concerns related to its use in the media.
“There is an ongoing national conversation on artificial intelligence. The goal is not to introduce numerous regulations but to ensure media-related issues are consolidated and incorporated into existing frameworks, such as the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism and the Programming Code,” Omwoyo stated during a stakeholders’ retreat on AI guidelines, social media, and data protection in Machakos County.
He encouraged journalists to collaborate with like-minded partners who provide resources to help media houses develop in-house guidelines aligned with the national framework created by the Technical Working Group on Artificial Intelligence, led by MCK.
Omwoyo also commended development partners for their supportive role in driving the adoption of new technologies, highlighting Internews Kenya for its significant contribution to building the capacity of media houses in developing the necessary guidelines.
Fatuma Sanbur, Internews Country Lead and Regional Programme Manager, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting the media through the Kensafe Space project. “Internews is pleased to partner with MCK to review and validate AI, data, and social media guidelines for newsrooms. This aligns with our Kenya Safe and Inclusive Digital Space project, which works with various stakeholders to promote safety and uphold the rights of internet users in Kenya. Our goal is to enhance information integrity and support the responsible use of technology in the media,” Sanbur said.
Ken Bosire, Chair of the Technical Working Group Taskforce, added that the team will incorporate stakeholder feedback and emerging issues to finalize the guidelines. “After the validation exercise, we will incorporate the views and any emerging issues in AI and social media to ensure ownership and further discussion,” Bosire explained.
He also noted that a nine-member team has been established to consolidate child protection matters for inclusion in the updated Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya. This is in line with a court ruling mandating MCK to ensure compliance with the Programming Code.
“Amid the rapid evolution of digitalization and AI technologies, our primary objective remains safeguarding journalism practice,” Bosire emphasized. This initiative highlights the media industry’s commitment to adapting responsibly to emerging technologies while ensuring ethical standards and inclusivity in its practices.
