African media editors challenge governments to strengthen press freedom

Former Kenya Editors Guild President Churchill Otieno. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Media editors across Africa have called on governments to ensure a conducive working environment for journalists.

Speaking during the opening of the second media convention in Lusaka, Zambia on Thursday, May 11, East African Editors Society Chairman, Churchill Otieno challenged governments to review existing human rights laws to protect journalists.

"Establish legal actions to prevent and prosecute illegal surveillance of journalists, both by public and private parties. There should be strengthened legal protection for journalists to keep their sources confidential," Mr Otieno said in a statement.

The communication body said that governments should amend national laws to ensure compliance with international human rights standards, further calling on African States to work closely with the media to acknowledge press freedom in African countries.

"Support the national, sub-regional, and continent-wide annual assessments by African Media stakeholders on press freedom and safety of journalists in Africa for the improvement of policy and operational environment. Appoint a focal person within the three arms of the Government as the liaison between the Government and media stakeholders on matters related to the safety of journalists," he added.

The editors have recommended that media houses in the continent coordinate with other stakeholders, to jointly carry out annual independent press freedom on the safety of journalists.

"Take specific and targeted action for women journalists to safely join the journalism profession, facilitate their rise up the structural ladder and ensure their meaningful and equitable representation at media-related workshops, conferences and conventions."

Additionally, the media has also been urged to embrace capacity building in nurturing journalists into skilled professionals.

The editors recommended the measures following the risky conditions under which journalists in the continent work, saying that at least four journalists have lost their lives so far this year.

The media body observed several attempts to silence the press in their efforts to cover news and work on investigative stories.

In October 2022, TV journalist Arshad Sharif, who had fled Pakistan citing threats to his life, was shot dead by police at a roadblock in Kajiado County, Kenya.

Kenyan officials said it was a case of mistaken identity but investigations on the case have not progressed much.