Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has been identified by the United States Embassy for a mentorship program that will involve the department of Journalism and Mass Communication. Courtesy of International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) Kenyan Chapter, the embassy has funded ten female students from Journalism and Mass Communication department who have been enrolled into a mentorship programme for one year.

The Female Journalists’ Mentorship programme which is in its third phase, aims to nurture talent among upcoming female journalists to increase the presence and quality of women in the media industry. The programme was initiated in September, 2018 with students from University of Nairobi. MMUST female Journalism students have been privileged to be among the largest cohort. Other universities that were picked include Maasai Mara, Moi, and Technical University of Mombasa.

In the programme, the students have been paired with established and successful female Journalists from various media houses. The mentors equip and empower them with technical, leadership and life skills for successful careers in the media industry.

During the launch of the third phase mentorship project, Ms. Josephine Karani, Chairperson of International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT), Kenyan Chapter said, ‘‘Mentors have been like big sisters to the mentees, giving advice and support beyond the class set-up and providing life skills. The programme is becoming bigger and better.’’ Ms. Karani also expressed confidence that the programme will help produce some of the best journalists in the country and beyond.

The two day workshop revisited areas in Media Ethics in the 21st century, Fact checking as a basic tool for everyday use by journalists in the era of false news, Digital media, Creating content for both radio and television, Professional integrity, Personal branding in the newsroom and Digital etiquette .

 By Marvin Wangatiah and Lydia Anyonje