The Media Council of Kenya CEO Mr David Omwoyo has urged media houses to mainstream affirmative action to enable female journalists’ participation in decision making in media organisations.
Mr Omwoyo said such actions will ensure gender equality and inclusivity in media spaces, and ultimately uplift the status of women in the newsroom.
“I implore media houses to adopt organised affirmative action to aid in uplifting the status of women in media houses. This the surest way to ensure that issues affecting female journalists are highlighted and action taken”, Mr Omwoyo said when he spoke at the first Standard Group Mentorship Academy graduation ceremony held at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation offices in Nairobi.
He encouraged the graduands to use the skills acquired not only in the newsroom but also incorporate them in the broader communication field and contribution to national development.
“This is a great opportunity for you to open up to the broader side of communication. The skills you have acquired will assist you to have relations with organisations outside of the media house”, he said.
“We are encouraging such boardroom conversations in the media in times like this when the industry is facing a transition. There is a challenge when an average newsroom person cannot survive outside the newsroom”, noted Mr Omwoyo
He implored the programme beneficiaries to remain proactive in their work while expressing themselves by voicing issues affecting them.
“As women in media, you need to exercise agility in your practice, stand your ground, create networks and never take anything personal”, he said.
Standard Group CEO Mr Orlando Lyomu advised the mentees to utilise their learnings to make informed choices in life.
“I encourage you to continue learning from old hands in the trade and take advantage of technology to become value appropriators. The digital space has presented several opportunities for self-improvement”, he said.
“Value appropriation calls for innovators. Scan your environment and see what you can change an do better. Don’t be afraid to step us and share your ideas, it might just be the next big thing. Mentorship will prepare you for the journey, but this will require fortitude and resilience”, remarked Mr Lyomu.