Wetangula Announces Plan for Modern Media Center to Support Parliamentary Reporters
By Esther Waithera
In a significant development for Kenya’s parliamentary journalism, Speaker Moses Wetangula unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a state-of-the-art media center within the Parliament square. This initiative aims to equip parliamentary reporters with the necessary tools and environment to enhance their effectiveness and fulfill their duties more efficiently.
Addressing the media, Wetangula emphasized the PSC’s commitment to this project, stating, “The PSC, under my stewardship, is dedicated to setting up an ultra-modern media center within Parliament square to support our parliamentary reporters in effectively executing their mandate.”
Wetangula underscored the constitutional foundation for this move, citing Articles 34, 35, and 118 of the Kenya Constitution (2010), which highlight the media’s role in public participation, governance, and accountability. He pointed out that these provisions reinforce the importance of media stakeholders in ensuring the effective and continuous dissemination of information.
During the meeting, Wetangula also pledged that both Houses of Parliament will review existing media legislation to align it with modern technological advancements and current trends. “We will ensure that the media’s legislative framework evolves to meet contemporary needs,” Wetangula assured via his social media platform.
The announcement comes amid concerns from the media industry, with Elizabeth Mutuku, a senior political and parliamentary reporter for TV47, noting that despite operating from a media center, access to Parliament has been restricted. “We have a committee, but we are currently not allowed into Parliament, which hinders our work,” Mutuku explained.
The proposed media center is expected to provide a significant boost to the working conditions of parliamentary reporters. It will offer advanced facilities designed to support reporters in their mission to disseminate information and engage with the public effectively.
The initiative reflects a broader effort to enhance the interaction between Parliament and the media, ensuring that both institutions can adapt to the evolving landscape of political communication.
The media center’s development will be closely watched as a critical step towards improving transparency and accountability in Kenya’s legislative process.
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