The Media Council of Kenya

The Media Council of Kenya is a statutory body established by the Media Council Act, No. 20 of 2013 as the leading institution in the regulation of media and the conduct and discipline of journalists. The Council started as a self-regulating body in 2004 to regulate media industry in Kenya but transited through the Media Act 2007 and adopted co-regulation media regulation approach, where board members and the Secretariat while receiving government funds to support some of its activities, remain very independent in their operations and are not subject to any form of control.

Fundamental public interest maxim of media freedom and freedom of expression and principles of open and independent media that promotes participatory democracy, rule of law, and accountability in the governance process underlay the media regulation process at the Council.

The right and privileges of journalists are protected while professionalism and accountability of media workers is upheld. Training on the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism is a major activity while dispute resolution by the Complaints Commission of the Media Council ensures that the public have the opportunity to raise complaints against the conduct and behavior of journalists and media houses.

The Council receives modest funding from the Government while at the same time it levies media houses and individual journalists. The funds are used in running the several activities the MCK undertakes.