Editors are gathering in Nakuru for a five-day Annual Editors' Convention to share ideas in line with this year's theme of innovative storytelling that can build public trust and drive change in the digital world.
The convention organised by the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) will run from Wednesday, November 27 to Sunday, December 1, at the Sarova Woodlands Hotel.
"The convention will be officially opened on November 29, 2024, by Prof Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya," KEG said in a press invite.
Other distinguished speakers, it added, will be Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and Liu Zhenyu, Director for Information and Public Affairs at the Chinese Embassy.
"Key sessions will focus on pressing topics such as cybersecurity, media monetisation, the adoption of new technologies, journalist safety, biotechnology and climate change reporting," KEG said.
The emergence and rapid growth of digital media has transformed traditional media landscapes and neccessitated ingenious ways of desseminating information for media organisations to remain both relevant and sustain themselves financially.
The rise of digital media has enabled real-time communication and content sharing across the globe, a reality that has placed mainstream media outlets in stiff competition for both revenue and audience with social media content creators.
This reality has forced mainstream media to embrace a shift in how they tell their stories using new age technology, failing which they would be faced with only one certain outcome - extinction - edged out by online content creators.
The editors are also meeting a time climate change has become increasingly poignant and needing practical ways of mitigation by all.
Given the technical aspect that surrounds the topic, innovative ways of how to sensitise the masses on the triggers of climate change at the village level cannot be overemphasised.
A large part of media development work has focused on providing support to train journalists on how best to tell climate change stories that are impactful and ones that will demand accountability from both governments and the public.
As such, biotechnology and climate change reporting as a key topic during the Nakuru editors'convention is timely.
During the duration of the exercise, the team will also engage in tree planting at Menengai in the spirit of encouraging cleaner environments, and a Game Drive at Nakuru National Park to appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature.
The climax of the convention will be the 2024 Editors' Ball and KEG Media Awards on Saturday, November 30.
