JOURNALISTS have been urged to be vigilant while in the field in the wake on increasing threats and emerging risks related to their work.
Panelists in a session to discuss impunity against journalists regretted that the environment in which journalists are operating in today is increasingly becoming riskier, with few solutions to emerging dangers.
The concerns emerged during the first day of the ongoing of the Annual Media Summit 2019 that kicked off in Nairobi on August 8 2019 and Intercontinental Hotel.
“ I get very worried he we send journalists to the field these days. It has become necessary that we brief journalists on their security before going to the field.”
Photojournalist Thomas Mukoya (Reuters) encouraged Journalists to develop a routine of assessing the security environment of an event before setting out for an assignment so that they can take the necessary precautionary measures, for purposes of identification.
On his side police Spokesman Charles Owino advised Journalists to be tactful in what they do, while upholding the highest level of ethics; “ If you are used to extort be ready to face the consequences. I have seen people pay owners of media house and editors to sack journalists who they think are not working in their favour,”
Mr Owino advised journalists to establish a rapport with police in their areas of jurisdiction for better coordination when threats emerge.
Caroline Wambui who is the managing Editor of Kameme Tv regretted that most threats that journalist face in the course of their work emanate from within newsrooms.
“How safe are we inside newsrooms? Young ladies and young men are suffering, talented journalists are missing opportunities because they won’t do what people want. People are being interviewed in shady places. How many organizations are providing safe havens. People are afraid to talk because they feel no one will help anyway. Outside there we are protected by police, who is protecting us inside the newsroom. It is time we go beyond the colorful anti-sexual harassment policies.”
Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Secretary General Eric Oduor warned journalists against getting too cosy with news subjects and sources: “sometimes we find ourselves in problems because of our cosy relations with news makers.”
Peter Okelo (Media Council of Uganda) noted that the Kenyan media space was more progressive and vibrant unlike in Uganda where media freedom was more limited: “The biggest challenge we have in Uganda if professionalism and lack of Ethics.”