Namwamba says President William Ruto’s government is keen on supporting content creation and artists in Kenya
He challenged the media to make of positive reporting and broadcasting rather than dweling on cynical news
However, welcomed positive criticism it offers checks and balances to the government institutions
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has assured Journalists that Kenya Kwanza Administration led by President William Ruto is fully behind the supporting of the freedom of expression
According to Namwamba, government can’t erode what’s enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, under Articles 34 and 35 on the freedom of expression and the media for development as well as offering checks and balances to the government institutions
“President William Ruto is fully behind the media, he wants you to do what the constitution is demanding you to do. We have no problem with the media, yo can criticise us whatever you want so that we rectify our mistakes because we can’t be angles.
I know sometimes we make mistakes that which needs to be reported for democracy to thrive and also accelerate development,” Namwamba noted.
However, the vocal minister appealed the journalists and editors to be truthful with the government’s functionalities; telling stories that are positive and not always cynical reporting
“Sometimes try to give us some credits, if there is a good projects and programmes working for the common good of Kenyans like the one we are having report it, if there are good policies tell the country but of course that which is not happy with Kenyans, let us know
For example Hustler Fund, if you see it helping kenyans why don’t you write a story or come up with a story telling us how it has transformed someone’s life outside there,”? He questioned
Namwamba noted that the government is welcoming positive criticism from the media but also should be done in a fair reporting, impartial, objective and balanced
In furtherance of promoting Kuza Awards, Namwamba urged content creators and journalists across the country to work on creating local content and innovative programmes that promote our social economic activities
“I have no doubt that Kenya is the next big thing in the creative space in this continent of Africa and we shall always be there to support creative industry, my ministry has a responsibility to identify, empower and promote those who come up with local contents that promote our social behaviour, culture heritage, environment impact and other local contents.
Objectivity is in the heart of objective journalism. Asanteni sana na hongera sana,” He emphasised
Namwamba was addressing participants during the 6th edition of the Kuza Broadcasting Awards 2023, hosted by Communication Authority of Kenya, led by Director General Ezra Chiloba, themed shaping the future of broadcasting towards the creative economy at Westlands in Nairobi