Net citizens must also observe ethics

News of the recent killing of Kabete MP George Muchai, just like any other event in Kenya, was broken by social media. Whenever citizen journalists break the news, the mainstream media follows a little later, not because of laziness, but for professional reasons.

Professional journalists are bound by ethics, both for traditional media practice and their online updates. They can break news, but they observe ethics. Indeed, mainstream media picking news items from the net citizens is not unique to Kenya. They will pick, but they must verify certain facts before going to press, which means net citizens will always be ahead.

The rise of citizen journalism and online media is not unique to Kenya, either. A lot is happening on online media platforms in the form of sharing information, breaking news and expanding the boundaries of information exchange.

Kenya, just like other countries, is feeling the effects of new technology. And, as has been the trend over the years, the rise of online media usage has yet to overcome Kenya’s biggest problem — tribalism, insults and general lack of manners.

Use of online media has attracted new laws and administrative codes. Of late, we have had a crackdown on irresponsible online media users, including bloggers, who have attracted a new charge — undermining the authority of public officers, and in some cases hate speech.

CODE OF ETHICS

A number of online content producers have come up, especially bloggers, whose style of writing and content does not obey any article in existing codes of ethics. While online news production and dissemination has enormous opportunities in educating Kenyans and cementing peaceful existence, if not well checked, it could have a negative impact.

Indeed this is what has made policy makers, including the police through the cybercrime department, begin to look keenly at some blogs and online platforms. A number of bloggers have flouted all known codes of ethics in journalism and some are posting things that largely hinge on hate speech and invasion of privacy.

Some of the postings lack objectivity and accuracy and carry content that does not amount to fair comment on matters of public interest. The code of ethics for the practice of journalism cautions the media against intruding and making inquiries into an individual’s private life without consent unless public interest is involved.

NO EXCEPTION

The same article states that public interest should be legitimate, by extension meaning well defended and not mere curiosity. It is expected that even online journalists are guided by the same code.

Bloggers and other citizen journalists must adhere to professional ethics just like other professions.

In fact a number of media enterprises in Kenya have developed social media and blogging policies for journalists attached to them, to ensure while they go online, and the associated ambiguities, of their private lives and their public life, they still observe professionalism.

Journalism is a public life and requires its members to maintain decorum in their dealings. Media companies are explicit that these guidelines will help their journalists in the use of online platforms without undermining their professionalism and compromising the company’s credibility.

Victor Bwire is the Deputy CEO and Programmes Manager, Media Council of Kenya. [email protected]