NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 17 \u2013 Media practitioners are advocating for an ongoing sector-wide reform process to reclaim the space lost by the industry to external players, including an assertive executive, a complacent parliament, and big tech companies.<\/p>\n
During a breakfast meeting hosted by the Kenya Media Sector Working Group, top editors emphasized the importance of focusing on media sustainability, journalists\u2019 welfare, and training needs for industry newcomers.<\/p>\n
Chair of the working group, Tom Mshindi, outlined proposed changes, including the repeal and review of oppressive laws, restructuring industry agencies for growth, and enhancing regulatory mechanisms for greater independence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must aim to reclaim the lost ground,\u201d said Nation Media Group Editor-In-chief Joe Ageyo, underscoring the need for reform to restore the centrality of media in democracy.<\/p>\n
Martin Masai, Eastern Broadcasting Editorial Director, advocated for the devolution of media power and resources, highlighting the importance of empowering county-based media.<\/p>\n
Bernard Momanyi, Editorial Director at Capital FM, stressed the need to prioritize journalists\u2019 welfare, noting the unsustainable situation where journalists\u2019 bills often go unpaid.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will need to also focus on the welfare of journalists in this reform process. The present, lopsided situation where all other bills are paid, except the bills of journalists is not tenable. Without journalism, there will no industry to talk about in the first place,\u201d Momanyi said.<\/p>\n
The arguments for prioritizing practitioners\u2019 welfare were supported by Kenya Editors Guild\u2019s Linda Bach and Kwamboka Oyaro, with media scholar Prof. Levi Obonyo calling for a broader approach to reform.<\/p>\n
At the meeting, it was revealed that relevant government agencies support the idea of awarding one newspaper a contract to circulate government adverts, rather than two, as previously assumed.<\/p>\n
The Working Group is considering recommending minimum standards for journalists\u2019 welfare, updating the legal framework for Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC), and enhancing the independence of the Media Council of Kenya.<\/p>\n
The editors were informed that the idea of according to one newspaper a contract to circulate government adverts had legal backing of relevant government agencies.<\/p>\n
Ministry of Information official Mike Okidi said they obtained advisory guidance from the government procurement agency, and the Attorney General. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey both said we didn\u2019t need two newspapers of wide circulation. One paper of mass circulation and a government website would meet the requirements of the law. And so this idea that we must advertise in two newspapers does not exist, it has only been assumed to exist,\u201d Okidi said.<\/p>\n
Tom Mshindi emphasized the need for reform to be forward-looking, productive, and acceptable, recognizing the political process that will follow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must ensure that what we come up with is reformist, sensible, forward-looking, acceptable and productive. Of course, it should not be lost to us that whatever we come up with will be exposed to another political process,\u201d Mshindi cautioned.<\/p>\n
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation, a Germany political foundation which promotes liberal values across the world, facilitated the discussions, emphasizing the importance of free media in democratic practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that that free media is an essential aspect of democratic practice, and we are here to underscore this and facilitate freedom of the media is an important liberal value,\u201d the Foundation\u2019s country director Stefan Schott said.<\/p>\n
Kenya Editors Guild President Zubeida Kananu and Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Secretary General Eric Oduor reiterated their organizations\u2019 commitment to a free media.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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