The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has raised an alert over a fake communique circulating online, claiming that the council was launching a crackdown on the Daily Nation following an inquiry from a member of the public urging the Council to review the media house’s ethical standards.
In a statement shared through its official X handle on November 6, MCK dismissed the misinformation, urging the public to disregard the false claim.
“MCK disowns the correspondence and fake news circulating about the Council investigating media houses. Please treat this with all the contempt it deserves,” the council wrote.
The fake communique, which caused concern among journalists and media organizations, suggested that MCK was conducting an investigation into Daily Nation, raising fears about potential threats to press freedom and the independence of media operations in Kenya.
In response, MCK clarified that it had not initiated any investigation into the media house, as suggested by the bogus statement.
The council’s disavowal was issued to prevent any public confusion and to reaffirm its commitment to upholding transparency and ethical standards in the media sector.
By refuting the false claims, MCK aimed to reassure both the public and media professionals that their rights would not be compromised without proper legal process or justification.
The council emphasized that misinformation of this nature could undermine the credibility of media organizations and mislead the public.
As the regulatory body responsible for overseeing media standards, MCK stressed the importance of maintaining its integrity and credibility.
The council also highlighted that spreading false information or impersonating an official body is illegal and could have legal consequences.
This incident comes amid a broader rise in online misinformation and cybercrime in Kenya. Earlier in 2024, Kenya Railways also flagged fraudulent mobile apps created to scam people into making fake bookings for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
These apps were designed to impersonate the railway corporation and trick users into paying for non-existent services.
MCK’s action reinforces the need for vigilance in combating fake news and protecting the integrity of public institutions in the digital age.
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