Mombasa Press Club chair Omar Shungu [L] and Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi [2nd L] along Moi Avenue in Mombasa on Monday / BRIAN OTIENO

Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi along Moi Avenue in Mombasa on Monday / BRIAN OTIENO

Misinformation and disinformation fuelled by artificial intelligence threaten the credibility of information reaching Kenyans, Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi has warned.

Miraj said the growing influence of citizen journalism has made it more important for professional journalists to ensure the public gets accurate information to make informed decisions.

She condemned attacks against journalists, describing them as a threat to democracy and the public's right to information.

“That is why we condemn attacks of any kind against journalists. Journalists are key cogs in any democracy and Kenya is no exception,” she said.

She spoke on Monday when she joined journalists in Mombasa for a peaceful march along Moi Avenue, Digo Road and Nkrumah Road to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

The Senate ICT Committee vice-chairperson said the Constitution protects journalists and urged authorities to uphold its provisions, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

“We have seen the political temperature has already started to rise and we have seen journalists being attacked by the very people who are supposed to protect them,” she said.

Miraj urged journalists to remain courageous but also challenged media houses to balance their duty to inform with the responsibility of protecting vulnerable audiences from distressing content.

She expressed concern over the frequent coverage of murders, sexual violence, suicide and road accidents, saying children and other vulnerable groups should be protected from unnecessary exposure.

“Why don't we also air news that give hope to our people, news that will inspire a young person to work harder or to venture into a business they thought is too difficult for them? We need more of this kind of news,” she said.

She said the media could also help address tribalism, corruption and other social ills through responsible reporting and programming.

The senator called on security agencies to work with journalists rather than treat them as adversaries, noting that their reporting also helps expose challenges facing security officers.

Mombasa Press Club chairman Omar Shungu said journalists faced numerous challenges despite their important role in serving communities.

He echoed the United Nations' call for state agencies to ensure cases involving violations of journalists' rights are investigated and concluded swiftly.

“As journalists, our biggest job is community work. And whenever you violate a journalist's freedom and curtail his ability to work freely, it is actually the community that you are hurting,” he said.

Shungu said journalism is not a crime and urged authorities to respect constitutional protections guaranteeing journalists the freedom to work.