Media stakeholders demand safer conditions, policy overhaul

Media stakeholders in Kenya are urging the government to create a safer and more supportive environment for journalism, emphasising the need for press freedom, mutual respect, and stronger collaboration to advance national development.

At a national media leadership forum convened by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) in Nakuru, key industry stakeholders—including the Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG), Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), and the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), voiced frustrations over mounting pressure faced by journalists and shrinking civic space for media operations.

KEG President Zubeidah Kananu appealed to the government to stop intimidating media houses and allow journalists to operate freely.

“We don’t need threats, and we need our space to conduct our work without coercion,” she said, stressing that mutual respect between the media and the state is essential for a free and independent press.

Echoing similar concerns, KUJ Secretary General Eric Oduor urged the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy to prioritise a long-overdue overhaul of the country’s media policy. He argued that effective journalism depends on clear laws, protective frameworks, and a government that respects the rule of law.

AMWIK Executive Director Queenter Mbori highlighted the transformative power of media when supported by strategic partnerships. She pointed out that collaboration between the government and the press could drive meaningful progress, describing the media as “a national resource capable of changing society for the better.”

MCK CEO David Omwoyo lamented the lack of meaningful policy reform in the past decade. He backed calls for regulatory updates, stressing the need for continuous dialogue to tackle emerging challenges in the media landscape.

Omwoyo also urged adherence to the revised 2025 Code of Conduct, pointing to the growing demand for accuracy and accountability in journalism.

Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo welcomed the engagement and assured media stakeholders that their concerns would be acted upon.

Kabogo also urged the media to balance press freedom with responsible reporting, particularly to protect public interests, such as children’s rights during protests.

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