Committee set to ensure journalism training standards

Media Council of Kenya CEO Haron Mwangi. He has announced that a committee has been formed that will inspect and ensure all media training institutions in Kenya conform to set journalism standards. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA  NATION

In Summary

• The standards are stipulated in the Media Council Act 2013.
• MCK has already set up a committee to conduct the inspections.
• Media training colleges are required to have al the necessary equipment and qualified personnel.
• The Council is also supposed to consider and approve applications for accreditation.

By EVELYNE MUSAMBI
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Journalism and media colleges will undergo inspection in two months in order to ensure they conform to the set standards as stipulated in the Media Council Act 2013.

 

Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Chief Executive Haron Mwangi said that the council had already set up a committee comprising scholars, college lecturers, examination bodies and the Ministry of Education to inspect the institutions.

“The Media Council Act 2013 mandates the Council to set standards for the journalism profession and inspect and accredit colleges to ensure that quality and relevance are maintained,” Dr Mwangi said.

The colleges will be vetted using criteria informed by the international best practices in the journalism profession jointly developed by MCK, the Education Ministry and registered colleges.

EQUAL STANDARDS

“This will ensure that all colleges have equal standards and quality and that examinations offered are responsive to emerging issues and competence requirements in the journalism and media industry,” said the MCK CEO.

MCK is mandated with setting standards in consultation with the relevant training institutions for professional education and training of journalists.

The Council is also supposed to consider and approve applications for accreditation by educational institutions that seek to offer courses in journalism.

Among the areas that will be vetted during the colleges’ inspection will be the equipment and personnel in the institutions.

“Colleges will be expected to have enough facilities and equipment, including cameras, radio and TV studios, editing suites, libraries as well as competent and qualified personnel,” said Dr Mwangi.