The Media Council of Kenya in partnership with UNESCO commemorated the International Day to End Impunity Against Journalists. This is an annual event celebrated on 2nd November to raise awareness and promote a dialogue between all actors involved in combating impunity for crimes against journalists.
Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji urged the media to remain professional while ensuring that their freedom of expression respects the dignity and privacy of others, does not propagate ethnic incitement or discrimination and reflects the interests of all.
“Despite persistent threats, I urge the media to fearlessly keep asking the tough questions and highlighting the various challenges we face as a country and region and the injustices we collectively have to remedy,” said the DPP.
“Above all, keep working to ensure you uphold integrity in your profession even when the truth may be at odds with the powers that be; be it government or even the ownership of the media houses you represent; keep seeking out the truth and speaking this truth to power,” said Mr Haji.
UNESCO Regional Director and Representative for Eastern Africa Prof Hubert Gijzen noted that journalists are increasingly subjected to various threats, attacks and harassment particularly in the digital space.
“We are extremely worried by the increasing trend of extra judicial killings of journalists. Such impunities have a chilling effect on our democracy. Let us intensify joint action to defend media freedom, ensure safety of journalists, as part of defending our democracies,” said Prof Gijzen.
Media Council of Kenya Council Chairman Mr Maina Muiruri noted that there have been gaps in operationalisation of the National Mechanism for Safety and Protection of Journalists, including lack of investigations of cases of impunity against journalists which results in non-prosecution of perpetrators.
“Violations against journalists have risen in the past three years. By October 2021, the Media Council of Kenya had documented fifty-five cases of violations, with security agencies leading as the sources of the threats”, said the MCK Chairman.
“A notable trend on response is that while many journalists report cases to police, there is little effort to follow through the process in pursuit of justice either by victims to report or follow up coupled with weak support by duty bearers; employers, police and prosecutors,” he said.
He added that the establishment of the Taskforce on the Kenya Media Policy Guidelines by ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Mr Joe Mucheru is a show of goodwill from the Government and will hopefully help resolve some of the challenges around safety of journalists.
Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai reaffirmed the National Police Service’s commitment to promoting safety and protection of journalists and called for collective efforts amongst and with stakeholders. The IG urged the media to utilise its power by providing accurate, objective and reliable information to the public, especially during elections. “This will greatly enhance your safety while at work because of public trust”
“There is need to cement the collaboration between the and the National Police Service Media Council of Kenya in order to address issues that arise out of the causes and attacks on media workers”, said the Inspector General in a speech read on his behalf by his Principal Assistant Munga Nyale.
Kenya Union of Journalists Secretary General Mr Eric Oduor noted that media houses must be called out to end economic crimes against journalists the same way we call out crimes against journalists. “Some media houses are promoting financial stress in the newsrooms through pay cuts and redundancies.”
“We will not allow and entertain attacks against journalists by politicians. We will request that such politicians be barred from running for electoral positions,” said Mr Oduor.