The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has affirmed its commitment to support journalists on mental health and financial wellbeing.
MCK CEO Mr David Omwoyo has said that mental health among journalists should be given top priority due to its impact on the individual and the quality of journalistic work.
He also pledged the Council’s commitment to supporting accredited journalists through training and sensitisation on mental health and financial planning to ensure their sustainability in the profession.
“Financial literacy empowers you to make informed decisions and by extension protect your independence, ensuring that you are not easily vulnerable to external pressures”, he said during a Mental Health and Financial Literacy Sensitisation for members of the Kisumu Journalists Network in Kisumu.
While speaking to the journalists, Mr Omwoyo noted the significant changes in the profession calling on journalists to find a balance between mental well-being and financial stability.
He further advised the journalists to leverage opportunities at their disposal for financial gain.
“We must adapt to changes in the profession including tapping into local content creation for monetisation”, he stated.
The Kisumu Journalists’ Network Chairperson Doreen Magak asked stakeholders in the media industry to invest in journalists who report on diverse stories.