The Media Council of Kenya is an independent national institution established by the Media Act 2007 as the leading institution in the regulation of media and in the conduct and discipline of journalists. The Media Act Cap 411B establishing MCK seeks to regulate the conduct and discipline of journalists and the media, self-regulation of the media and for related purposes.
The Media Council Act No. 46 of 2013 provides the legal framework for Council to regulate the standards of journalism training in Kenya as a way of promoting professionalism and media development in the country.
Under the Media Council Act 2013 section 6(1)(f), the Media Council of Kenya is required to set standards in consultation with the relevant training institutions, for professional education and training of journalists. Section 6(1)(n) provides that the Council subject to any other written law, consider and approve applications for accreditation by educational institutions that seek to offer courses in journalism. This is meant to ensure that the Council enforces professionalism and regulates the conduct and discipline of journalists in the country.
Section 6(1)(h) of the Media Council Act 2013 requires that the Council accredits journalists and foreign journalists by certifying their competence, authority or credibility against official standards based on the quality and training of journalists including the maintaining of a register of journalists, media enterprises and such other related registers as it may deem fit and issuance of such document evidencing accreditation with the Council as the Council shall determine.
Procedure
The process is provided for in the Act which stipulates that the Council may, by notice in the Gazette, impose a levy in respect of all media enterprises operating in Kenya, and an annual registration fee in respect of all journalists whose names appear in the registers kept by the Council.
Accreditation is a yearly process that ensures that only qualified and authentic journalists practice in Kenya as provided for by the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya.
Accreditation aims at ensuring that all practising journalists are issued with a press cards to enable them have ease while covering stories in events and accessing some prohibited areas for stories.
Benefits of accreditation
- It’s a legal requirement and allows one to practice officially as a journalist and/or content creator in Kenya
- It allows one to enter the records of the Media Council of Kenya and acts as a proof of membership to a professional body.
- Accredited journalists can easily and officially access information from official sources including State/public officers, conferences, workshops and meetings. Where denied they can launch complaint with the Complaints Commission.
- It allows one to access safety and protection benefits provided by the Council and enhances the protection of the rights and privileges of journalists while in the performance of their duties.
- It enables journalists to participate in professional events including conventions, media awards and fellowships.
Requirements
- An authorization letter from the organization that one works with. For students in their final year, a letter from the college or university plus a student’s ID.
- A letter of recommendation, portfolio of work done, and original certificates either a diploma or degree for freelance journalists.
- A passport size photograph taken on a white background either on hard copy of digital.
- A duly filled application from found at mediacouncil.or.ke.
Charges
The charges are as indicated below and are renewed on yearly basis:
| Local journalist | Ksh 2000 |
| Students | Ksh 300 |
| Lecturers | Ksh 2000 |
| Foreign journalists | Ksh 10,000 p.a. or Ksh 5000 for 3 months and below. |
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