Cape Media’s, TV47’s parent company, News and Tech Editor Eric Munene has been appointed as a member of a Technical Working Group by The Media Council of Kenya.
The taskforce is intended to be part of a media industry working group tasked with establishing comprehensive guidelines for the effective utilization of artificial intelligence and data.
In a statement, MCK’s CEO David Omwoyo underscored that the formation of the new task force is a direct response to the rapid pace of technological advancement.
The technical committee’s primary mandate is to develop media guidelines governing the ethical and appropriate integration of AI, data, and social media within the realm of professional journalism in Kenya.
Omwoyo emphasized that the technical team comprises professionals from diverse fields, including media, technology, academia, and the legal sector.
Their role is to meticulously examine the benefits and potential risks associated with emerging technologies.
Additionally, they will provide recommendations pertaining to ethical considerations, aiming to enhance the overall quality of journalism.
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Furthermore, the team will focus on integrating data usage into journalism practices while also devising professional strategies for eliminating harmful content from the media landscape.
The council has stated that the team will operate for a duration of three months, during which they will formulate ethical guidelines governing the use of social media and the internet by journalists and media organizations.
It is noteworthy that media entities are increasingly harnessing the power of AI to optimize audience segmentation and feedback, particularly in response to the swiftly evolving operational environment.
Omwoyo acknowledged the significant leaps in technology, including the emergence of AI, machine learning, and automation, which have facilitated groundbreaking insights and applications.
He underscored the media’s duty not only to make use of AI and data in their work but also to provide accurate information and comprehensive coverage regarding data and AI topics.
The newly formed MCK task force, during its three-month tenure, will produce the following essential documents:
- A Journalists’ Handbook for Reporting on Artificial
Intelligence and Data.
- Media Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence
and Data.
- Ethical Guidelines on the Use of Social Media and the
Internet by Journalists and Media Houses.
Cape Media’s Eric Munene joins the working group on establishing media guidelines for the utilization of AI and data which comprises:
Sara Mumbua Nzuki, Michael Michie, Prof John Walubengo, Susan Mute, Media Max’s Head of editorial content Ellen Wanjiru, Carole Kimutai, Silas Kiragu, Margaret Kalekye, Michael Oriedo, Dr Gilbert Mugeni, Rosemary Mwangi, Advocate Demus Kiprono, Ken Bosire, Alexander Masiga, Oliver Mathenge, Jeremiah Wakaya, George Mwamodo, Francis Mureithi, Alex Mwangi, Joel Karanja, Oscar Otieno, Paul Kaindo, Anhosi K’Obonyo, Jared Kidambi, Lilian Kimeto, Advocate Antony Laibuta, Kenneth Kibet and Fridah Naliaka.
Eric Munene co-hosts a tech show called “Disruptive Fridays” with Linda Alela every Friday, aiming to spotlight how technology trends, including the growing dependence on Artificial Intelligence, influence our daily lives.
The developments coincide with the renewed efforts of the Data Protection Commissioner, Immaculate Kassait, to enforce data protection rules that were enacted by Parliament in 2021.
Just two weeks ago, Ms. Kassait’s office imposed an unprecedented collective fine of KES 9.4 million on three entities for transgressions related to personal data, including a digital credit provider, an entertainment establishment, and a learning institution.
