The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has dismissed as fake a notice warning media houses against sensational and inflammatory reporting.
A statement from MCK clarified that a circulating claim about the council cautioning media outlets, particularly the Standard Group, for using provocative headlines is not authentic.
The MCK emphasized the importance of verifying information through official sources.
The false notice, allegedly signed by Eric Ngaria, the MCK Registrar of Complaints Commission, warned media houses about ethical violations, specifically targeting inflammatory headlines.
It also reiterated that press freedom comes with the responsibility to report fairly and accurately.
The document included several directives for media houses, advising them to back their claims with evidence, avoid sensationalism, and ensure balanced political reporting to prevent bias.
It concluded by urging media outlets to focus on factual reporting and avoid content that could incite division or undermine public trust in institutions.
Despite featuring the MCK logo, the document raised doubts about its authenticity due to multiple spelling errors.
Concerns over sensationalized headlines have been growing in Kenya, especially on the front pages of local newspapers.
For example, the Sunday Nation recently attracted attention with a headline quoting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, claiming he had saved President William Ruto from a military coup during the June 2024 Gen-Z protests.
Additionally, a Homa Bay Town MP, Peter Kaluma, threatened legal action over an editorial cartoon in the same issue.
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