Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir has urged journalists to resist the pressure to publish breaking news without verification, warning that the rise of digital platforms and citizen journalism should not come at the expense of professional standards.

Addressing journalists during the launch of the Media and Communication Awards 2026 – Coast Edition, Nassir said the profession must remain anchored on accuracy, fairness and context despite the rapidly changing media environment.

"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," he said.

The governor observed that competition to publish first had contributed to a culture where information is sometimes shared before being properly verified.

"We publish before verifying, we conclude before giving context and at times we choose speed over accuracy," he said.

He challenged journalists to embrace the profession's enduring principles.

"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."

Nassir said professional journalism remains essential in mentoring young reporters entering the industry.

He described journalism as a vocation sustained by dedication rather than financial reward.

"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 said.

The governor also appealed for more constructive reporting that highlights development and opportunities without abandoning the media's watchdog role.

"I know bad sells, but good is timeless. Stories that create a positive impact remain relevant long after the headlines have faded," he said.

He proposed creating a dedicated award category recognising journalists and digital creators whose work promotes Mombasa's tourism, logistics sector, investment opportunities and community achievements.

"You have my support. Let us see how we can tell more positive stories about what happens in Mombasa every day," Nassir said.

The Media and Communication Awards 2026 – Coast Edition, organised by the Mombasa Press Club and Gilitics Media, will recognise excellence in journalism, digital content creation and strategic communication, with nominations now open across multiple categories.