The independent statutory organisation has distanced itself from the document.
Syndicated by PesaChck
This statement on Facebook, purportedly by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) on coverage of Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, is FAKE.
The 2 August 2023-dated document purportedly signed by MCK Chief Executive David Omwoyo claims that derogatory terms were hurled at a journalist for questioning the governor about the 30 June 2023 Londiani accident victims compensation fund.
“We will consider the security of our members in future before accepting any invite from the respective institution,” the statement reads in part.
But is the statement authentic?
While the document has the MCK’s branding, it does not appear on either the regulator’s website, Facebook page or Twitter account.
On 2 August 2023, the media council distanced itself from the statement, terming it fake.
Governor Mutai had a media briefing on 2 August 2023 during which the Londiani accident victims’ compensation fund claims were addressed.
A story on a governor attacking a journalist would have been widely covered by the local media. However, a keyword search on the purported attack did not reveal such a story.
PesaCheck examined a statement on Facebook supposedly by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) on the coverage of Kericho Governor Eric Mutai and found it to be FAKE.
This post is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.
By partnering with Facebook and similar social media platforms, third-party fact-checking organisations like PesaCheck are helping to sort fact from fiction. We do this by giving the public deeper insight and context to posts they see in their social media feeds.
Have you spotted what you think is fake or false information on Facebook? Here’s how you can report. And, here’s more information on PesaCheck’s methodology for fact-checking questionable content.
This fact-check was written by PesaCheck fact-checker Rodgers Omondi and edited by PesaCheck senior copy editor Cédrick Irakoze and acting chief copy editor Francis Mwaniki.
The article was approved for publication by PesaCheck managing editor Doreen Wainainah.
