MCK sounds alarm over increase of fake news on digital platforms
MCK said it has observed numerous rogue online platforms and anonymous accounts that systematically disseminate unverified, fabricated and manipulative material.
The Kenyan media regulator on Thursday raised concerns over what it referred to as a sharp rise in the deliberate spread of manipulated content, misinformation and disinformation across digital platforms.
In a public advisory, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) said it has observed numerous rogue online platforms and anonymous accounts that systematically disseminate unverified, fabricated and manipulative material.
More To Read
- Kenya outshines neighbours in media coverage of SGBV, femicide
- Kagame warns Africa to brace for AI-driven cyberattacks, urges united defence strategy
- MPs demand clear plan as Treasury delays Sh864 million payments to media houses
- Media Council urges MPs to fast-track amendments to strengthen journalism regulation
- Media Council of Kenya proposes Sh1.5 billion AI system to tackle ethical violations
- Journalist Collins Kweyu released after night in custody
"These entities routinely deploy sensational fabricated headlines, doctored images, invented quotations, overtly partisan narratives and, in many instances, the blatant theft of logos and branding from legitimate media houses in flagrant breach of copyright," the regulator explained.
It added that such content represents a serious breach of journalistic ethics and amounts to a clear violation of the Code of Conduct for Media Practice.
"It serves no legitimate public interest and is designed solely to undermine the authority and reputations of public officers and prominent figures," said MCK.
Accordingly, the council directed members of the public to exercise extreme caution and independently verify any information originating from unaccredited or anonymous digital platforms that impersonate legitimate news outlets.
It pledged to proactively intensify its fact-checking efforts to debunk false narratives in real time and disseminate verified, accurate information to neutralise the harmful impact of these rogue outlets.
"Given the jurisdictional limitations concerning non-accredited and anonymous digital entities, the Council has formally referred the matter to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) for immediate investigation into the ownership and operation of offending platforms, and for the exercise of its statutory powers, including the removal of such pages where necessary," added the council.
Publishing such content contravenes sections of the MCK Act, 2013, that mandate the council to uphold media standards and ensure compliance.
The violated clauses include the one that demands practitioners to take all reasonable steps to verify the accuracy and authenticity of information before publication or broadcast.
Other clauses demand that images not be manipulated in a way that distorts reality or misleads the audience and that corrections are issued promptly upon discovery or notification of any inaccuracy.
"The systematic nature of these violations poses a profound threat to public trust, erodes the credibility of genuine journalism and jeopardises the integrity of Kenya's information ecosystem," said MCK.
Top Stories Today
