Why media is under threat in EA region

Press freedom faces growing threats amid rising tensions between governments and media. [File, Standard]

Resurgent intimidation of journalists in Kenya and the East African region is a worrying trend which analysts argue should be dealt with urgently before the situation gets worse.

The verbal attack on Standard Group by President William Ruto, the subsequent attempted abduction of one of its editors, and intimidation of others raised serious questions about the erosion of press freedom in Kenya.

Recent events in Uganda, where media houses including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Daily Monitor, KFM, and Dembe FM were shut down, also brought the issue of press freedom in East Africa into sharp focus.

 “The current president was hatched from a KANU egg, an era when journalists were thrown from windows during KANU’s Mwakenya years. He was part of the UhuRuto regime that infamously said newspapers are for wrapping meat. The stakes are even higher because he divorced his deputy,” says literary scholar Dr Abenea Ndago.

It is also argued that whenever such actions occur, governments usually lean on the hollow theme of media regulation, security, or the need for public order.

But beyond official statements, there is always a deeper public concern: whether the press is being punished for speaking too freely.

Journalists march in defence of press freedom and the right to independent reporting. [File, Standard]

The role of the media in any democratic society is straightforward. It informs the public, investigates issues of national importance, and holds those in power accountable. This is not an easy role, especially in politically sensitive environments where criticism is often interpreted as opposition. Yet, disagreement with journalism should never become a reason to silence it.

“The Standard’s direct approach to pointing out the president’s unfulfilled promises seems to elicit a great deal of fear and discomfort in President Ruto, not least because our elections are next year. But let’s also not forget that we’re dealing with a hard-nosed president who is rumoured to enjoy the bare-knuckled approach to almost everything in life,” added Ndago.

He also thinks the president’s outburst came across as extremely juvenile because when power begins to turn against the press, democracy starts to weaken in ways that are not always immediately visible.

The danger is that although press freedom may not collapse overnight, it instead erodes slowly through restrictions, pressure, intimidation, and the narrowing of space for independent reporting.

Over time, citizens are left with fewer independent voices and more controlled narratives.

Uganda's recent media tensions are not happening in isolation because across the region, similar concerns continue to emerge in different forms.

In some cases, they involve direct shutdowns or suspensions, while in others, they take the form of more subtle pressure, public attacks on journalists, or attempts to discredit media houses through political messaging.

While the methods differ, the outcome often feels the same: a press that operates under growing strain.

Kenya has its own long and complicated history with press freedom. From earlier periods of censorship to more recent instances in which journalists and editors have reported pressure while covering sensitive political issues, the relationship between the state and the media has often been tense.

There are also ongoing public debates about whether criticism of media houses is becoming more coordinated, more aggressive, and, at times, aimed at weakening their credibility rather than engaging with their reporting.

Even social media has become part of the pressure system, where hashtags can trend within minutes, targeting journalists or media houses, sometimes in response to stories that challenge political interests.

While public accountability and criticism are part of democracy, there is a fine line between legitimate criticism and coordinated intimidation.

 “Cases of intimidation against journalists often arise when those in positions of power fear exposure and public scrutiny. Truth can be uncomfortable, especially when it reveals failures in leadership, corruption, or unfulfilled promises. As a result, some politicians may misuse their authority to silence criticism or exert pressure on media institutions,” added Michael Ombasa, a digital media strategist.

There are also concerns, being discussed quietly within media circles, about the safety and independence of journalists, especially when reporting on politically sensitive matters.

While these concerns are not always publicly confirmed, they reflect a growing sense of caution in some newsrooms, where self-censorship is now becoming the norm.

Editors and reporters increasingly find themselves navigating not only facts and ethics but also public pressure and political reaction.

This is why what happens in Uganda matters beyond its borders. It serves as a reminder of how quickly media freedom can become a contested space.

“Many political leaders have become accustomed to receiving favourable coverage and limited scrutiny. When the media begins highlighting shortcomings, unmet promises, or governance challenges, some leaders may feel threatened or embarrassed. This can create tension between the government and the press,” says Ombasa.

When governments, institutions, or powerful individuals begin to view the press as an enemy rather than a partner in public accountability, democracy suffers. A society may still have elections, institutions, and public debates, but without a strong and independent press, citizens are no longer fully informed participants in those processes.

The press does not exist to please those in power. It exists to question them. That is its uncomfortable but necessary role. And in any society where that role is weakened, the public is the first to lose—not the journalists.

Ndago’s view is that there’s a confluence of history because the region has never simultaneously experienced conditions of actual dictatorship. The three East African countries currently find themselves in a situation where the sight of a dead body no longer causes outrage.

“This is a serious drawback to regional integration. People cannot genuinely integrate under conditions of fear and uncertainty,” added Ndago.

Ultimately, Uganda's situation and the broader regional tensions surrounding media freedom raise a simple but important question: What kind of public space do we want—one where information is freely examined, or one where it is carefully controlled?

Because when power turns against the press, it is never just a battle with journalists. It is a quiet shift in who gets to shape the truth.

From Ombasa’s view, a free and independent media is essential in any democracy. Journalists should be allowed to perform their watchdog role without fear or intimidation.

And so rather than attacking the media, governments should focus on delivering tangible results and serving the public effectively. Good governance and visible development speak louder than criticism and help build public confidence.