Journalists in Homa Bay County have called for urgent newsroom reforms to address persistent inequalities within the profession as they marked World Press Freedom Day.
The media practitioners, drawn from print, digital, and broadcast platforms, including reporters and correspondents, highlighted challenges such as low pay, job insecurity, and unequal access to opportunities in the industry.
Speaking in Homa Bay town during the commemoration, veteran correspondent Phillip Osewe described the daily struggles Journalists face despite their crucial role in informing the public and shaping national discourse.
“We report on drought, corruption, and health crises—stories that shape this county and this nation. Yet many of us go home wondering how to pay rent, how to put food on the table, and how to cover transport to the next assignment. Press freedom means little if the Journalist cannot feed his family,” he said.
Osewe urged both the national government and media owners to establish standardized pay structures that reflect the rising cost of living and the risks associated with journalism. He further noted that many freelance and county-based journalists operate without contracts, health insurance, or stable income despite contributing significantly to mainstream media coverage.
Similar concerns were echoed by reporter and videographer Masline Odero, who called for formal recognition and fair treatment of Journalists.
“Formalize our engagement. Adopt a minimum pay standard. Treat us as part of the team, not as volunteers with bylines,” she said.
Gender equality also featured prominently during the discussions, with journalists calling for fairness in job assignments, pay, and career advancement opportunities.
Odero urged media organizations to eliminate systemic bias against women in journalism, noting that female reporters often face additional barriers in the workplace.
“We all sit in the same lecture halls, we all write the same stories, and we all face the same threats in the field, but when assignments are given, when salaries are set, and when promotions are considered, a woman should not have to prove herself twice. Gender equality is not a favour. It is fairness,” she said.
Odero also called for stronger safeguards against harassment and intimidation within newsrooms to create safer working environments for Journalists.
Homa Bay Press Club Chairperson James Omoro emphasized the importance of journalism as a public service that supports accountability and democracy.
“On May 3, the world remembers that journalism is not a privilege for the few. It is a pillar for the many. Here in Homa Bay, we are part of that story. We tell it every day,” he said.
World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3 to highlight the importance of independent journalism in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.
For Journalists in Homa Bay, this year’s commemoration served as both a celebration of press freedom and a call to address the challenges facing media workers at the grassroots level.
By Brenda Odindo and Sitna Omar
