Media Houses Accused Of Failing To Protect Journalists

Kenyan media houses have been put on the spot for failing to safeguard journalists from external threats and attacks meted upon them.

Speaking during a forum hosted by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI) on Wednesday, November 2, Francis Ndegwa, the Regional Advocacy & Outreach Officer for Protection International, pointed a finger on some media houses for being slow to protect their journalists while at work.

Ndegwa noted that some investigative journalists for instance have faced attacks owing to the nature of the stories they cover.

"Being a journalist is a risky job. Some of the media houses have shown laxity in terms of providing safety for their journalists.

Francis Ndegwa speaking during the IDEI 2022 event in Nairobi on November 2, 2022. /MEDIA COUNCIL OF KENYA

"Investigative journalists have been on the receiving end in facing attacks and threats on the stories covered," he said.

Jane Godia, a board member of the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), further blamed the media houses for failing to agree on the minimum salary for graduate journalists so that they can perform their duties effectively, citing that "Remuneration is a big deal when it comes to journalism".

Ms Ito Misako, the regional advisor for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in East Africa, called for the collective implementation of concrete measures globally, regionally and nationally, noting that journalists continue to be killed at an alarming rate.

"We must also put out efforts online towards a new form of attack towards women journalists online.Let us stand for journalists our speakers of trust by renewing our commitment to protecting journalists all the time," she said.

Demas Kiprono of the Media Complaints Commission called for the media to be vigilant to understand laws that affect freedom of expression which in turn affects their work, adding that it was time for the media, through various formations, to have an office that offers advice on legal issues affecting them.

"Journalists are attacked and the perpetrators are not brought to book. We are looking forward to working with the government to ensure press freedom is upheld in the country and laws that protect journalists are tightened," MCK CEO David Omwoyo weighed in.

Dagoretti South MP, John Kiarie, who was in attendance at the event, noted that the National Assembly has a great responsibility in ending impunities in Kenya by playing its legislative role and that it will be the first stop to make in ending impunities against journalists.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed November 2 as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on November 2, 2013.

The day draws attention to the level of impunity for crimes against journalists, which remains extremely high globally. Between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 journalists have been killed around the world, with close to 9 out of 10 cases of these killings remaining judicially unresolved, according to the UNESCO observatory of killed journalists.

This year's theme was prevention, protection and prosecution.

A panel discussion during the IDEI 2022 event in Nairobi on November 2, 2022. /MEDIA COUNCIL OF KENYA