By Kenya Media Sector Working Group
Maanzoni, Kenya: We, members of the Kenya Media Sector Working Group, have met at Maanzoni Lodge since Friday, March 5, 2021 and discussed a number of matters relating to enhancing media sustainability in Kenya.
The meeting, convened by the Kenya Editors’ Guild and the Kenya Union of Journalists
with the support of partners including FHI, Internews, and Media Council of Kenya, seeking
to discuss key issues affecting the media industry, including the coverage and reporting of
the forthcoming referendum and how to address the emerging challenges facing the media
industry.
We have to this end resolved as follows:
1. THAT media stakeholders familiarize themselves with the Guidelines on Effective
and Ethical Reporting during the upcoming referendum.
2. THAT the Government considers including journalists in the list of the first phase
priority groups receiving Covid-19 vaccine given that journalists are frontline
workers and essential service providers.
3. THAT the effects of the proliferation of Big-Tech international firms such as Google,
and Facebook on the space of journalism need to be urgently addressed through
legislative and policy reforms to ensure that value generated from journalism and
media work is paid for.
4. THAT journalists should be adequately compensated for their labour. This requires
the development of acceptable pay scales that take into consideration the needs of
journalists. Journalists constitute the key resource that media houses need to operate
and, consequently, their needs must be addressed regardless of the prevailing
financial or economic challenges.
5. THAT the retrenchment of journalists, and imposition of pay cuts in some media
houses are not sustainable and will have long-term effects on the place, roles and
responsibilities of the media in an information society.
6. THAT The media needs to conduct a self-audit in newsrooms on the skillsets
available and those that are needed. It is concerning that newsroom strength is
impacted by the decreased number of journalists as a result of layoffs.
7. THAT The media should be supported to survive the ravages of COVID-19 and
economic downturn. Support in the form of tax cuts or holidays, suspension of
licence fees and other levies is necessary to ensure the media survives and continues
to serve public interest without fear or favour.
8. THAT a Media Fund is necessary to guarantee consistent and continued availability
of independent and diverse media. We have committed to work with Parliament to
come up with a law to establish an independent and progressive Media Fund.
9. THAT there is need to ensure journalists are adequately trained to prepare them for
the new norm engendered by technology disruption and COVID-19. Accordingly,
there should be continuous professional development to ensure journalists are aware
and capable of delivering on evolving responsibilities. This would also promote
public confidence in the media given the unethical behaviour of some journalists,
and also help them build capacity on emerging complex subjects.
10. THAT more women should be recruited into journalism to ensure the media
provides equal opportunity and space for both men and women. This requires
affirmative action to urgently remedy the gender skew.
11. THAT a sector-wide intervention to address any sexual harassment within the media
space be urgently undertaken.
12. THAT the legal, policy and regulatory regime ought to be reexamined to protect the
media independence and enhance press freedom and freedom of expression.
13. THAT to reenergize the sector and address the recommendations an interim Media
Steering Committee has been selected to lead the Kenya Media Stakeholders
Working Group.
The committee comprises:
1. Kenya Editors’ Guild
2. Kenya Union of Journalists
3. Article 19 East Africa
4. Media Council of Kenya
5. Kenya Community Media Network
6. Digital Broadcasters Association
7. Association of Media Women in Kenya
A detailed list of recommendations will be released on March 9, 2021 for enrichment
through public participation and inclusivity.
This statement is issued on March 7, 2021 by the following organizations under the cover of
the Kenya Media Stakeholders Working Group:
1. Kenya Editors’ Guild
2. Kenya Union of Journalists
3. Article 19 Eastern Africa
4. Media Council of Kenya
5. Kenya Correspondents Association
6. Internews Kenya
7. Association of Media Women in Kenya
8. Defenders Coalition – Kenya.
9. Political Journalists Association of Kenya
10. Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association
11. Kenya Environment and Science Journalists Association
12. Digital Broadcasters Association
13. Journalists for Human Rights
14. Association of Freelance Journalists
15. Kenya Community Media Network
16. Association of Devolution Journalists
17. Journalists for Human Rights
The statement read on behalf of the Group by
CHURCHILL OTIENO
President, Kenya Editors’ Guild
