Stop threatening journalists, politicians told

Devolution expert Dishon Mugonda has told politicians to stop sending threats to journalists and allow them to play their role in uncovering vices in the society.
This comes barely a day after a journalist from one of the local radio stations was threatened by a Member of the County Assembly of Kirinyaga for a story he did on the selling of bhang to school children in the area.

Speaking at a workshop on devolution in Nakuru on Tuesday, Mugonda asked politicians to shun the habit of threatening journalists for doing their work, adding that a threat to a journalist is a threat to the Kenyan citizens.

“I want to state very clearly that journalists have a role in shaping the society and so these politicians should let them do their work in peace,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Wellington Nyongesa who called on his fellow journalists to adhere to media ethics when reporting in order to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law.
Mugonda, who is also dean of students at The Taita Taveta University, urged the practitioners to be cautious in their reporting especially on matters devolution to avoid conflicts with local leaders. He added that journalists have a key role in ensuring devolution works.
“Devolution is a good thing and despite the many challenges we have seen it working in various parts of the country. My appeal to you is that you report facts on devolution to avoid conflicts with the leaders,” Mugonda urged the journalists.
The two-day workshop on strengthening devolution brought together journalists from Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Nakuru Counties.