MCK Update on New Code of Conduct for Media Practice in Kenya
Media Council of Kenya (MCK) update on New Code of Conduct for Media Practice, 2025 in Kenya. We have provided a link to the full PDF of the act below this page.
The Code of Conduct for Media Practice, 2025 is now in effect, marking a significant milestone for media professionalism and accountability in Kenya.
The new Code, published in a Special Issue of the Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 70 on 14 May 2025 (Legislative Supplement No. 40) by the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo, updates the Second Schedule to the Media Council Act 2013, effectively replacing the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya.
This revision addresses the shortcomings of the former code and follows a High Court ruling that declared the Broadcasting Code unconstitutional, ordering the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) to establish age-appropriate standards to protect children and vulnerable groups. The new Code tackles the challenges of our changing media landscape, setting firm guidelines for ethical AI use, safeguarding children and vulnerable individuals, promoting responsible user-generated content, and ensuring principled editorial conduct.
The Council lauds the National Assembly's approval and accession to this crucial document, and its subsequent confirmation by the Clerk of the National Assembly. This is a defining moment for media regulation, professionalism and the unyielding defence of press freedom in the country.
The ratification of this Code is a testimony and clarion call for progress. It demands accountability from the media and welcomes critique from the government, fostering trust and mutual respect.
Furthermore, it will streamline dispute resolution, ensure swift and fair handling of complaints while upholding professional integrity.
We also applaud the media community for their unwavering commitment to this transformative Code. This Code, shaped through extensive consultation across the media, legal, academic and civil society sectors, is a pact to uphold the highest journalistic standards.
The Media Council of Kenya reaffirms its unwavering commitment to fostering a media landscape that upholds the highest standards of integrity and serves the public. This is the dawn of a new era for ethical, fearless and impactful journalism in Kenya.