Sam Kiplagat
3 May 2008
Nairobi — East African editors have been challenged to assist Governments come up with policies that will promote development within the region.
Information and Communication minister Samuel Poghisio said that there are plans by Governments within the region to harmonise media policies for the benefit of its people.
Mr Poghisio called on editors attending the East African Editors Forum in Nairobi to air their views, saying their role was crucial.
The minister said the editors have an enormous responsibility to ensure that media remains one of the key resources for promoting development in the region.
Mr Poghisio was speaking in Nairobi when he opened the two day forum for editors to coincide with the World Press Freedom Day on Saturday. The forum brings together more that 60 senior editors from the region.
Mr Poghisio said that there are plans to turn the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication into a semi-autonomous agency.
He said once approved by the Cabinet, the Institute will act as a centre for media excellence. He said the move was to check on mushrooming of colleges allegedly offering media training.
He further challenged media practitioners to come up with an examination body, like accountants and lawyers. He said the Ministry was also in the process of tabling the Freedom of Information Bill and the ICT Bill.
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