The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called for collaborative efforts aimed at improving media relations to uphold trust and promote transparent communication within the maritime sector.
MCK Mombasa Regional Coordinator Maureen Mudi stressed the need for Maritime officials to intentionally seek opportunities and engage with media and industry stakeholders.
“Having robust skills, crafting compelling messages, navigating challenging questions, and leveraging media platforms to amplify the authority’s initiatives and achievements is a key resource for any organisation”, said Ms Mudi at a training session in Mombasa for the Board of Directors and Senior Management of Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA).
She asked the management to support their media relations teams by being proactive in handling media-related issues to foster timely updates and accurate information.
The KMA Board of Directors Chairperson Mr Hamisi Mwaguya expressed his confidence in the partnership saying that it will advance shared interests in professionalism and publicity across industries.
“We are happy to work with the Council in advancing our agenda by actively engaging the media and recognising the critical role of effective communication in maritime governance”, he said.
KMA Director General (DG), Mr Martin Dzombo Munga reprised the need to leverage the strengths of each organization to create synergies on maritime matters.
He inferred to the symbiotic relationship between media and maritime governance and committed to fostering a culture of transparency, openness, and accountability.
MCK Senior Officer for Research Planning and Strategy Jacob Nyongesa urged the directors to uphold a positive demeanour when engaging with the public in interviews.
“It is important to understand your audience and craft effective messages for your key stakeholders. Media interview skills are critical in strengthening communication and the organisation’s public image”, stated Mr Nyongesa.