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How to acquire, verify a press card in Kenya

How to acquire, verify a press card in Kenya

James Ratemo January 23, 2019 Media, technology, World 0 Comment

This is how to be accredited as a journalist in Kenya

How to verify a press card in Kenya: Have you renewed your press card or do you need a new one? You can download form from the Media Council of Kenya Website, pay via Mpesa and have your press card delivered to you. Further, you can verify authenticity of your press card via mobile. It is that simple. See Media Council of Kenya contacts in case you have any query.

Also read: Press card: All you need to know about media accreditation in Kenya

Journalists can use the M-PESA service to pay for Accreditation fees by following the steps below:

1. Go to the MPESA menu,

2. Select payment services

3. Choose Pay Bill option

4. Enter 897250 as the business number

5. Enter your full name as the account number

6. Enter the amount

7. Enter your pin and press Ok

How to verify press card: Accreditation Status Verification

Press card Verification in Kenya

The above illustration shows how to verify press card in Kenya

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Accreditation Requirements: how to acquire a press card

MPESA PAYBILL NO. 897250 (Kindly note that the Council does not accept cash payments)

Pursuant to sections 4, 6(h), 23(c) and 46 of the Media Council Act no 46 of 2013, the Media Council of Kenya undertakes Annual Accreditation of journalists practicing in Kenya for purposes of compiling and maintaining a register of journalists, media practitioners, media enterprises and media training institutions in Kenya.

One of its main aims is to improve professionalism among journalists as it ensures that all accredited journalists have the right skills to carry out their duties in a professional manner as accorded to by the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya. It also fulfills the Council’s mandate to compile and maintain a register of journalists, media practitioners, media enterprises and such other related registers.

Benefits of Accreditation or a press card in Kenya

1. Helps in professionalization in journalism.
2. It helps journalists to access information by allowing participation in conferences, workshops, trainings and other gatherings.
3. It enhances the protection of the rights and privileges of journalists in the performance of their duties.

Eligibility for Accreditation in Kenya

The following cadre of people are eligible for accreditation;

Journalists working in media enterprises
Freelance journalists
Foreign Journalist
Students pursuing media, journalism and communication studies
Public Relations Practitioners
Advertising Companies
Media Trainers

The Accreditation Requirements for journalists in Kenya

The following are the requirements for accreditation;
i. Local Journalists/Media Practitioners

All journalists accrediting for the first time with the Media Council of Kenya MUST provide the following requirements for vetting before proceeding with the accreditation process.

A letter from the employer
Professional Certificate (ORIGINAL) that is either a Degree of Diploma in Communication from a recognised training institution
Portfolio of work done either in Print or Broadcast ( Please provide the work not website links)
A clear passport size digital photograph

ii. Freelance Journalists

A reference letter from an organization that publishes your work
Professional Certificate that is either a Degree of Diploma in Communication from a recognised training institution
Portfolio of work done either in Print or Broadcast ( Please provide the work not website links)
A clear passport size digital photograph

iii. Foreign Journalists
All foreign Journalists are required to provide the following;

A letter from the employer
Professional Certificate that is either a Degree of Diploma in Communication from a recognised training institution
Portfolio of work done either in Print or Broadcast ( Please provide the work not website links)
A clear passport size digital photograph
Valid Work permit
Passport

iv.Students
Students studying in accredited colleges and Universities are eligible for accreditation. This will be issued once satisfaction has been made that the student is in their final phase of their training and is proceeding for industrial attachment.

A letter from training institution indicating that the student is to go for internship
Valid Student ID
A clear passport size digital photograph

Note:
Student press cards will ONLY be issued to students going for internship, 4th year Undergraduate students and 3rd year Diploma students.

Card Replacement:
Lost press cards will only be replaced upon production of a police abstract and letter from the employer stating the loss. The card replacement fee is Ksh 300.

Accreditation Fees or press card fees in Kenya

Local Journalist: Ksh 2,000
Foreign Journalist: Ksh 10,000
Foreign Journalist (Short Term – 3 Months): Ksh 5,000
Student: Ksh 300

Privacy of Accreditation Information
Once a journalist is accredited, they agree to disclosure of their accreditation status including when they were accredited, the organization they work for and their academic qualification.

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