Players in the media, marketing and public relations industry have expressed concern on the growing dissemination of deliberate information and propaganda on several media platforms designed to appeal the base emotive instincts of the public consuming it.
A statement to the media houses signed by, Jane Gitau, Chairman Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), Joseph Karamoja, CEO, Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK) and Lawrence Gikaru, Chairperson, Association of Public Relations Management Firms (APReCoM) raised fears on the growing level of political intolerance and unethical communication practices.
This is even after realising that the candidates and sponsoring parties have knowledge of the information propagating hate.
“The dissemination of such information is being blatantly and openly perpetuated by groupings which appear to be closely related to the leading political parties and or presidential candidates,” the statement read.
This comes a day after the National Cohesion and Integration Commission Chairman Mr Francis Ole Kaparo released a list of 176 groups perpetuating hate speech, manifested in ethnic profiling and stirring of tribal animosity. Mr Kaparo warned that individuals perpetuating hate speech in social media will be apprehended and brought to book.
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The organisations warned their members they will not hesitate to institute disciplinary action against any of them cited for involvement in activities that are not consistent with their respective professional codes of ethics and professional obligation.
“We call upon the respective constitutional and law enforcement agencies including the IEBC, National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Kenya Film Classification Board, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, National Police Service, Media Council of Kenya, Communications Authority of Kenya and the Judiciary among others, to handle their respective dockets with the seriousness it deserves at this crucial period,” the statement concluded.
With around 20 days to the Election Day citizens have been called upon by different stakeholders to maintain peace and avoid hate speech which may lead to chaos.
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