“We Believe In The Power Of Data”: TUKO.co.ke Advocates Data Governance At East African Conference

• TUKO.co.ke’s Public Relations Manager, Ruby Orimba took to the stage at the East African Data Governance Conference to discuss the importance of data governance in digital media
• In a dynamic era of information and technology, data has emerged as the lifeblood of the digital landscape, fueling the growth and success of media houses worldwide
• The East African digital media industry is growing at an unprecedented rate. Tackling issues of data governance has become crucial for sustaining long-term success

Acknowledging its pivotal significance, The Lake Naivasha Resort came alive with intellectual fervor as data stewards from East Africa’s biggest data-governed organisations converged for a three-day excursion between 19th July and 21st July on data policing, protection, and analytics.

In her address, Ruby highlighted the fundamental role data governance plays in enabling media houses to make informed decisions, ensuring data accuracy, privacy, security, and compliance with regulatory standards.

With TUKO.co.ke reaching over 30 million monthly pageviews and 8 million monthly readers on their website, the significance of their data cannot be overstated.

With millions as our audience, data governance plays a major role in how we conduct business. TUKO. co.ke is a data-driven digital media house. We don’t just collect data, harness it and breathe it back into all our content. By implementing data governance frameworks in our work, we optimise our operational efficiency and also build trust among our audience and stakeholders.

However, as the digital media landscape continues to evolve, so do the challenges that come with managing vast volumes of data.

Orimba brought attention to some of the most pressing challenges faced by media houses today, including data breaches, privacy concerns, and the rising tide of misinformation. She called for a more intentional approach of data governance, especially now that East African media is going through a mass digital transformation.

The East African digital media industry is growing at an unprecedented rate. Tackling issues of data governance has become crucial for sustaining long-term success. With a thorough understanding of their audience's preferences and behavior, media houses can deliver personalized and relevant content, nurturing a loyal readership base. TUKO.co.ke is called the Heartbeat of Kenya with over 86 million pageviews a year because we believe in the power of data.

In Kenya, the Data Protection Act of 2019 takes precedence over data governance, and recently the Media Council has taken a step in the right direction by recently releasing a code of conduct for digital media practitioners.

As East Africa continues to embrace the digital revolution, data governance will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone for sustainable growth and impact in the digital media landscape.

The role of media in East Africa’s digital transformation

In June 2023, TUKO.co.ke’s Public Relations Manager explored the role of digital media in East Africa’s digital transformation at the East Africa Digital Innovation Summit hosted by Blockchain Vibes.