Press freedom under threat in the face of overbearing leaders

The unresolved death of Tanzanian journalist Azory Gwanda is similar to what happened to two journalists in Kenya; Henry Nyaruri and John Kitiyu. Their killers remain unknown which inks down in bold the story of challenges facing journalists in the region despite notable expansion of investment in media.

From cases of harassment of journalists including arrests, trumped up charges, causing them to flee from their countries and closing of media houses, journalists have been facing myriad challenges in the East African region.

The region is replete with cases that reveal a nefarious push to shrink press freedom, threats that scare media space; harsh operating environment, constraining legal framework, drop in revenue income streams, attacks against journalists and overbearing political pressure.

The media in the region is operating in unpredictable and swiftly changing political, social, cultural, economic, and technological environment that has heavily influenced its performance. The worst is the hostile and inadequate political, legal, policy and regulatory environment that continue to negatively impact on press freedom in the region.

Challenges that seem to stand out in the face of free and independent media and constraining civic space in Kenya are application of laws and administrative codes that are out of sync with the Constitution and international human rights instruments that Kenya is a signatory to. There is also editorial influencing by corporates/owners and advertisers, censorship, threats to jobs, physical threats to media practitioners, corruption, and poor working conditions.

These have been noted to having chilling effects on media practice. There is also the failure to appreciate the changing consumer tastes and preferences by media, disunity amongst media professional associations working on media related issues which have made the sector more vulnerable to attacks. That has also eroded media's bargaining power which has led to poor remuneration and dearth of professional ethics and credibility.

The prevailing hard economic times and dwindling revenues from advertisement, calls for a new way of doing things. Media content must become king, and it can only do so if it resonates with the audience. More than ever before, media must invest in research and quality journalism to churn out better content.

The post Covid-19 pandemic results and reports from global press freedom watchdogs show that press freedom in the region is currently under threat and declining. Media has stood on the side of the truth and continues to influence public agenda in several ways. Several journalists have stood above the three arms of government, and through incisive, professional and bold journalism and have demanded accountability from the duty bearers. They have exposed grand corruption and gross human rights violations in the country without fear or favour.

Journalists and media practitioners in the region working either as freelancers, domiciled in community media, independent online content producers or working for national media, have braced the legal hurdles, physical threats, intimidation from judicial officers, advertisers, media owners and fellow journalists to bring us news that we identify with.

Kenya has seen increasing cases of attacks against the media, with the political class leading the chorus, and with Articles 33,34 and 35 constitutional provisions to protect freedom of expression and media freedom, the country still retains over 15 laws that are inimical to press freedom.

Tanzania has the Media Services Act that stakeholders have had issues with some of its sections - seen as constraining, even as the President remains receptive to media. There are ongoing government and media stakeholders' engagements aimed at improving the situation. But threats against the media from other quarters remain.

Uganda's press freedom situation remains problematic as many laws have been cited that affect media work. Two media councils, one statutory and another independent have not been effective at helping review the anti-media laws. The Uganda Communication Authority is today the major player in media regulation in the country. During the past election in Uganda, the authority remained hard on the media.

Rwanda is currently reviewing media laws. On a few occasions media houses have been threatened with closure owing to what was considered by the government of the day as sensational content.

Any right thinking government should shun intimidation and harassment against the media because a free media has a critical role to play in the democratisation process which include reporting on elections.

Kenya's current state requires that media is left free to its work without intimidation. In similar terms, journalists must uphold integrity and professionalism while discharging their duties. Seeking and reporting the truth, minimising harm, maintaining independence and above all, observing transparency and accountability remains key principles for journalists.

Mr Bwire is the Head of Media Development and Strategy at the Media Council of Kenya