This year's theme for World Press Freedom Day was; "Shaping a future of rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights". It goes without saying that the media has for a long time been a beacon of light when it comes to transparency, not only in Kenya but also globally. Some journalists have been brutally injured in their line of duty while others have lost their lives. I pay tribute to the late veteran journalists Catherine Kasavuli, Philip Ochieng and Moses Omusolo, among others ,who were exemplary leaders when performing their watchdog duties. Indeed, 'journalists do not die, they go off air'.
In his speech on World Press Freedom Day, US President Joe Biden noted that journalists face challenges by risking their lives to pursue the truth. "In far too many places around the world, autocrats and their enablers continue to repress a free and independent media through censorship, retribution, threats, lawsuits, harassment, disinformation, detention and physical attacks."
In Kenya, those challenges are not new. Insecurity during news gathering and even after publishing stories may upset certain individuals. As a result, journalists are attacked, threatened, harassed and even killed to shut down their stories forever. Some media companies do not offer insurance covers for their employees. In cases where they get injured during work, they have to dig deep into their own pockets because some of them are paid peanuts. Journalists are overworked, underpaid, denied payment and in worst cases, fired without warning. This makes some of them to accept brown envelopes and tips from prominent people during news coverage and reporting for survival's sake.
Another challenge is the tendency by media houses to overlook quality stories for the sake of gaining profit for the company. Dealing with powerful people who insist that their stories be marinated with lies for the sake of their images can be challenging.
Many journalists are forced to hide some truths from the public for fear that their lives and those of their families might be in danger upon publication of certain stories. This is contrary to Media Council of Kenya's code of conduct on independence of journalism, article 2(A) that states, "a person subject to this act shall gather and report news without fear or favour and resist undue influence from any outside forces, including advertisers, sources, story subjects, powerful individuals and special interest groups."
The freedom of journalism equates to democracy and therefore journalists must be protected at all costs. Every media house must invest in counselling services, especially for journalists covering traumatic events. It is vital for a journalist to have sound mind in order to produce accurate information for the public. Media companies should also consider creating lactation rooms for lactating journalists and provide day care for parents who work around the clock.
I urge the Interior ministry to hasten efforts to offer proper security and consider training journalists on matters security. Lastly, every journalist must take upon themselves to get accredited and self-regulated in a bid to eliminate those impersonating journalists.
Ms Tanui is a journalist
