Journalists keen to join politics should resign

All media houses have been asked to take action against journalists who have declared an interest in politics because they are likely to take sides in their reporting.

Every journalist has a responsibility to report news in a truthful, unbiased and apolitical manner. This means conveying facts as they are and allowing the public to make their own judgement. However, when a journalist actively participates in politics; that impartiality becomes compromised.

Many people desire a change of career and journalists are no exception. They too can join politics if they wish, and that opportunity comes up every five years in Kenya. However, due to the expected conflict of interest, it is only fair that such journalists leave the newsroom. Even civil servants interested in politics are required to resign months before the elections. However, this has not been seen to apply to journalists in the past and is probably the reason why the Media Council of Kenya has come out strongly against "politicians in the newsroom".

When one expresses interest in a political party, one is likely to defend it even to death, and is highly unlikely to see sense in what competing parties stand for. That is how unfair reporting is likely to come about.

As we head into next year’s elections, it is important that journalists remain neutral regardless of their personal opinions or beliefs.