Kenyan Journalists and human rights defenders cry for their freedom
By : Caroline Katana
Media freedom and human rights defenders are at risk globally, this is according to the ambassador of the European Union to Kenya Henriette Geiger.
Geiger said that attacks against journalists online with duty are still being witnessed around the world despite the measures taken to counter it.
The ambassador was speaking during 2nd Annual Media - Civil society organizations conference held in Nairobi with the theme “"Safeguarding Freedoms in the Digital Age, Protecting Voices, Advancing Technology, and Ensuring Access".
EU ambassador Henriette Geiger
The conference was organized by the Kenyan Correspondent Association KCA and the Civil Freedom Forum in collaboration with other organizations including Pen Kenya, article 19, Haki Yetu among others.
The conference thematic areas was on Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Media Freedom, Protection Of Journalists and Whistleblowers , Access to Information and Its Role in Devolution, Social and Economic Sustainability of The Media , Politics and Media Freedom in Kenya .
Media freedom in Kenya has experienced significant developments and challenges over the years. As a critical pillar of democracy, the media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, holding leaders accountable, and informing citizens.
However, Kenya's media landscape has faced numerous hurdles, including political interference, threats to journalists, limitations on access to information, shrinking revenue streams leading to concerns over media sustainability and emerging concerns over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism.
Ambassador Geiger affirmed journalists to have great contribution in informing and educating the public .
She also pointed out that changes in media industry create challenges especially in the performance and responsibility of journalists .
“The freedom of the media and the CSOs are very important in every country in the world ,they promote democratic rights ,but it is sad to see the freedom of these two sectors being violated around the world ,” Said ambassador Geiger .
The ambassador also noted that despite journalists and human rights defenders in Kenya facing freedom challenges , Kenya has strengthened itself in providing opportunities for journalists and activists to carry out their duties compared to other countries in the world .
“You may think that things in Kenya are not good, but I want to tell you that here in Kenya things are good compared to the ways things are witnessed in other countries ,” Added ambassador Geiger .
However ambassador Geiger explained that in the past the media and human rights defenders were strong in the issues of defending justice by raising the voices of Kenyans and monitoring various issues related to this nation compared to the current situation experienced today .
“If there was no media ,Kenyans would not be aware of the important things that are going on in this country and the world in general ,I’m aware of the existence of cases of violations of the rights of journalists and activists in Kenya and this is a pattern witnessed all over the world ,” Said ambassador Geiger .
She also pointed out that plans by the European Union to start a program to build the capacity of investigative journalists in Kenya are under way so as to ensure their rights are not violated when carrying out their duties .
Due to the responsibility of the media and CSOs in Kenya ,ambassador Geiger has explained the importance of removal of laws and policies that oppress journalists and human rights in order to create a safe working environment for them .
“As European Union ,we support issues of human rights and civil societies in the world through a special budget where more than 60 percent is allocated to deal with various issues every year in different countries ,” Ambassador Geiger points out .
Touching on Artificial intelligence AI usage ,Geiger has asked journalists to take precautions against the use of such equipment in news analysis .
“ The world is changing very fast so journalists has to recognize the advantages and harm caused by modern technologies ,the integration of Artificial Intelligence in journalism in Kenya as it is in other parts of the world ,has brought opportunities and dangers ,”Said the Ambassador .
The European Union maintains that it will continue to fight for the freedom of the media and civil society organizations , calling on Kenyans to respect the power of the majority ,saying that the power of the majority is importance in solving fundamental challenges .
Civil Freedom Forum CFF board chairman Davis Malombe said media freedom in Kenya has seen great progress and challenges over the years.
“As an important pillar of democracy ,the media has an important role in shaping public opinion ,holding leaders accountable and informing the public of various events ,Said Mr. Malombe.
He further pointed out that the media environment in Kenya has faced many obstacles including political interference, threats to journalist, restrictions on access to information, decreasing sources of income and causing concern about the sustainability of the media .
Addressing these challenges will require a concerted effort from the government, civil society, and international organizations to safeguard press freedom and enhance Kenya's democratic space.
On his side ,KCA director William Oloo Janak said since 1992 the media and civil society organization have stimulated reforms in the country that led to the return of multi-party politics.
.KCA director William Oloo Janak “The dialogue that we are trying to emphasize between the media and civil society organizations is one of the ways to build strength , because CSOs have a great capacity for investigation, work arrangements and incentives for journalists so their cooperation will be able to protect the civil space ,” Said mr. Janak .
Mr. Janak added that the first Meda –CSOs conference highlighted in details various methods of solving challenges surrounding the independence of the institutions news and civil society organizations ,emphasizing the importance to prepare for the conference every year in order to be able to monitor closely if the method existing will bear fruit in matters of civil defense.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Media council of Kenya David Omwoyo has confirmed a total of 79 cases of violation of the rights of journalists recorded during the protest against the 2024 finance bill .
“ Out of these 79 cases ,half of them have been reported in local areas ,we have seen some people in different counties creating difficult working environment for journalists ,” Said mr Omwoyo.
Mr. Omwoyo challenged CSOs and journalists to build better operational frameworks to ensure their rights are not violated .
However he said that lack of immediate action against those suspected of violating the rights of journalists provokes an increase in injustice against journalists .
“There is a need to find ways to take action against all the suspects who threaten the lives of journalists ,failure to bring them to book has led even families of some journalists to go through these injustices,” Added mr. Omwoyo
At the same time ,he has strongly warned some journalists who are endangering the lives of their colleagues by providing news reports that are monitored for the perpetrators that whoever is found will face legal action.
“This matter has become a chronic problem among journalists ,you will find the reporter taking secrets from their WhatsApp groups and share to the perpetrators ,this is is very dangerous and we will not tolerate is as Media Council of Kenya ,” Said mr. Omwoyo .
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