The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) on Wednesday flagged a fake communique making rounds on the internet claiming that the council was engaged in a crackdown on Daily Nation after an inquiry from a member of the public inviting the Council to conduct an investigative review of ethical standards of the media house.
Through its official X handle, the Council warned the members of the public to beware of the misleading information of the fake statement.
“MCK disowns the correspondence and fake news circulating about the Council investigating media houses. Please treat this with all the contempt it deserves,” MCK shared.
The fake communique raised concerns among journalists and media organizations about potential implications for press freedom and the operational independence of media entities in Kenya.
Fake communique that was flagged down by MCK on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
The Council further clarified that it had not initiated any investigations into the media house as suggested by the statement.
This disavowal was necessary to avoid any possible public confusion and to uphold its commitment to transparency and ethical practices within the media landscape.
The MCK emphasized that the poster contained false information that could mislead both the public and media professionals. By disowning it, they aimed to correct any misconceptions that might arise from such misleading claims.
By clarifying its position, MCK sought to reassure journalists and media organizations that their rights would not be infringed upon without due process or justification.
As a regulatory body tasked with ensuring media standards are upheld, maintaining credibility is vital for the MCK. Dismissing the fake information helps reinforce its authority and reliability as a governing entity in matters related to media regulation.
Fake news and misinformation about investigations can have legal ramifications for both individuals and organizations involved as impersonation is illegal.
MCK is the latest agency to flag down a fake statement shared on the internet. There have been widespread cases of misinformation in the recent past, with both public figures and institutions being victims of the rising cybercrime.
At the beginning of 2024, Kenya Railways flagged four mobile applications which are reportedly used to swindle Kenyans into making Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) bookings. In a notice, the corporation highlighted that fraudsters had created the apps to impersonate the transport provider and dupe Kenyans with fake SGR services which unfortunately some Kenyans fell to.
Nation Media Group building located at Kimathi Street in Nairobi CBD
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