MCK takes measures to weed out quack Journalists

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Tough times ahead for individuals parading themselves as journalists after the Media  Council of Kenya (MCK) invented new rules that will distinguish quacks from professional journalists.

MCK has advised that only credited reporters carrying valid Press Card will be granted access to the key institutions in official capacities, in a bid to fish out uncredited journalists operating within the premises of the parliament, court of law and hotels.

This comes after the MCK noted a high number of uncredited journalists blackmailing the Members of Parliament (MPs), Senators, litigants and hotel guests while harassing professional  journalists in these areas.

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In its new guideline, the MCK mentions strict requirements for accreditation including a professional certificate from a recognized institution and a portfolio of work done either in Print or Broadcast.

It is now a mandatory for all media practitioners and student applicants to complete the Media Council of Kenya Ethics Training Course approved by the Council.

Foreign journalists can apply for an ad hoc accreditation after providing a letter from the employer, a professional certififcate, portfolio of work done in print or broadcast, a valid work permit and special pass for short term accreditation.

In a circular, the MCK has written a request to the Parliament, The Judiciary and the Kenya Association of HotelKeepers & Caterers (KAHC) to aid in the weeding out of the non-accredited journalists from their facilities.

The MCK has further made available an SMS enabled system where journalists press card numbers can be entered and sent for verification and validity purposes.

Generation of new press-card with a micro-chip that will facilitate access to various key institutions for accredited journalists.

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