By Betty Luke
Journalists under the Isiolo Press Club have called on the county government and other non-governmental actors to consider partnering with them in community initiatives.
Speaking at their annual end of year party, the journalists said beside their day to day work of storytelling, they were also engaged in multiple activities aimed at uplifting the lives of the residents.
Led by Isiolo Press Club Chairperson Waweru Wairimu, they noted that although the majority of the actors thought they (journalists) were just story tellers, they were passionate about driving change in the society through outreach initiatives such as Corporate Social Responsibility.
“We are organized in a Community Based Organization (CBO) that champions for human rights, creates awareness on issues affecting the society and therefore, there is a need for all of us to join hands in addressing existing societal issues,” he noted.
His remarks were echoed by the club’s Secretary General Juma Jirma who reiterated the team’s commitment to not only amplify voices but also push for accountability by the duty bearers.
“Out of lack of knowledge, some people think our work is to report anything which is not the case because we are not anyone’s mouthpiece. Media ethics demand that we tell things as they are. If someone has failed in their responsibility, we cannot share contradictory information,” he noted.
The end of year meeting brought together among others, representatives from the County Government of Isiolo, County Security team, Non-governmental organizations and the business community.
County Communications coordinator Hussein Salesa said collaborations between the two teams would not only open the members to new opportunities but also create a cordial working relationship.
While reiterating the county government’s commitment to working closely with journalists to highlight key development projects in the county, he called for enhanced partnerships to recognize journalists who had made significant contributions in reporting on devolution related issues.
“We should consider partnering in organizing awards that recognize journalists who have covered many stories on devolution to address underreporting,” he said.
Isiolo Gender Watch Executive Director Grace Lolim and businessman Osman Shariff applauded the journalists over utmost professionalism in their work.
“I appreciate that Isiolo journalists have always been proactive in highlighting issues that are of public interest. I urge them to keep up the spirit,” said Ms Lolim.
Mr Shariff called the already established journalists to support their young colleagues, saying “You will become better if you all lift each other. Grow together and whenever there are opportunities, share amongst yourselves and especially with the journalists fresh from college”.
County Police Commander Moses Mutisya hailed journalists for the work they do, saying like the police, they make a lot of sacrifices in their quest to push for redress of issues affecting Mwananchi.
“We have enjoyed a cordial working relationship with the local journalists and we will continue partnering especially on information sharing on daily occurrences in our county,” he said.
The event brought together over 30 journalists working across the vast county to forge way forward into the new year.
