The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has emphasised the critical role of journalists in promoting mental health awareness and ethical reporting.
MCK Director for Media Training and Development Victor Bwire highlighted the importance of self-care and institutional support for journalists working in challenging environments.
“Journalists face immense stress, from conflict zones to politically charged assignments. Protecting their mental health isn’t just ethical—it’s vital for accurate storytelling,” he said at a sensitisation session on mental health at the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications, Nairobi. Held in preparation for the Annual Media Summit on 15 May 2025, the workshop equipped media professionals with skills to navigate mental health concepts, maintain ethical standards and prioritise personal well-being in high-pressure settings.
Bwire urged journalists to adopt trauma-informed stress management, seek counselling, and leverage peer networks, while calling on media houses to implement safety protocols and foster open dialogue on well-being.
The training underscored the link between mental resilience and journalistic quality, noting that exposure to trauma, tight deadlines, and public scrutiny often leads to burnout and reduced productivity. Participants engaged in sessions on recognising mental fatigue, applying ethical frameworks to sensitive stories and accessing institutional support systems.
MCK Assistant Director for Media Training and Development Christine Nguku outlined practical measures for media organisations, including flexible work schedules and mandatory wellness workshops. She stressed the need for leadership training to help editors spot burnout and promote empathetic communication.
“Newsrooms must budget for counselling services, create anonymous reporting channels, and address workplace harassment. Thriving journalists produce sharper, fairer stories,” Nguku affirmed.
Attendees shared anonymised experiences of insomnia, emotional detachment, and stigma tied to the industry’s “tough it out” culture. “We’re trained to chase stories, not process trauma,” one journalist admitted, reflecting on the profession’s relentless demands.
Bwire reiterated the need for institutional change: “Silent suffering undermines journalism’s future. Normalising these conversations today safeguards the industry’s sustainability.”
The session reinforced the inseparable link between journalists’ well-being and their ability to drive societal change through rigorous, compassionate reporting, marking the training as a corner