Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has challenged journalists to place accuracy above speed, warning that the race to break news first is increasingly eroding the core values of journalism.
Speaking during the launch of the Media and Communication Awards 2026 – Coast Edition, the governor said the rapid growth of digital platforms and citizen journalism has transformed the media landscape, making credibility more valuable than ever.
He noted that while technology has expanded access to information and empowered more people to tell stories, professional journalism must remain guided by truth, fairness and context.
“Journalism is evolving at an extremely fast pace. We now have citizen journalism and digital creators with huge audiences. That makes ethical journalism more important than ever,” Nassir said.
The governor expressed concern over what he described as a growing culture of prioritising speed over accuracy, where stories are sometimes published before essential facts are confirmed.
“We publish before verifying, we conclude before giving context and at times we choose speed over accuracy,” he said.
He urged media practitioners to recommit themselves to the timeless principles that have long defined credible journalism.
“We need to go back now more than ever to the timeless principles of journalism. Is the story accurate? Has it been verified? What is the context? Those are the questions we should continue asking,” he added.
Nassir also praised journalists for their commitment to informing the public despite the challenges facing the profession, describing journalism as a calling driven by service rather than financial gain.
“Many of you are not doing this because of the paycheck. You do it because it is a calling. It is a profession that deserves recognition and support,” he noted.
At the same time, the governor encouraged the media to strike a balance between holding leaders accountable and showcasing stories that inspire growth and development.
“I know bad sells, but good is timeless. Stories that create a positive impact remain relevant long after the headlines have faded,” he said.
To encourage solution-oriented storytelling, Nassir proposed the introduction of a special award category to recognise journalists and digital creators whose work highlights Mombasa’s tourism potential, logistics industry, investment opportunities and community success stories.
“You have my support. Let us see how we can tell more positive stories about what happens in Mombasa every day,” he said.
The Media and Communication Awards 2026 – Coast Edition, organised by the Mombasa Press Club in partnership with Gilitics Media, seeks to celebrate excellence in journalism, digital content creation and strategic communication. Organisers have officially opened nominations across various award categories.
