Kenya’s media stakeholders have called for strengthened protection of journalists, policy reforms and sustainable financing mechanisms to safeguard the industry as it confronts rapid technological changes and economic pressures.
Speaking during the annual editors’ convention in Kilifi, the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) president Zubeidah Kananu said the government and the media remain partners in promoting the national values of transparency, accountability and the rule of law as outlined in Article 10 of the Constitution.
The meeting, held under the theme “Trust and Technology: The Place of Journalism in the Digital Era”, examined the impact of technology on news production and consumption.
Kananu noted that while digital tools have opened new opportunities for storytelling and audience engagement, they have also increased the spread of misinformation and placed greater responsibility on newsrooms to uphold accuracy and credibility.
“The sector continues to face unresolved challenges highlighted during last year’s convention, including journalist safety, regulatory overlaps, modernisation of media infrastructure and rising cases of online harassment,” she said, adding that economic constraints such as shrinking advertising revenue, delayed salaries and declining newsroom resources have further weakened the industry.
The forum cited recent incidents where more than 20 journalists were injured while covering protests, with some deliberately targeted.
Cases such as that of Catherine Njeri, who was shot while on duty, and the unresolved disappearance of journalist Eric Isina were highlighted as examples of delayed justice. A documentary screened at the event captured the experiences of affected journalists.
Kananu urged the government to fast-track investigations and prosecutions related to attacks on journalists and to strengthen the multi-agency rapid response mechanism involving the Ministry of Interior, the Media Council of Kenya, civil society organisations and the Kenya Editors Guild.
“As editors and stakeholders, we have identified economic pressure as a major threat to media freedom and proposed several interventions, including liberalisation of government advertising to reduce delays, establishment of a national media sustainability fund, development of a digital policy requiring global technology platforms to share revenue generated from Kenyan journalistic content, and incentives such as tax relief on importation of broadcast equipment and digital tools,” she said.
She further called for the creation of a National Media Centre to support training, innovation, media literacy and coordinated public communication.
On public service broadcasting, the KEG president reiterated the need to modernise the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), ensure predictable funding, protect editorial independence and expand its public service programming.
She also appealed for legislative clarity to address overlapping mandates between the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Media Council of Kenya.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, the forum emphasised the importance of strengthening media preparedness to counter disinformation, protect journalists, and support accurate and fair coverage.
KEG also highlighted ongoing capacity-building initiatives, including training manuals on climate change reporting and media coverage of technology and private sector issues.
She announced plans to develop a manual on trade, transport and infrastructure reporting and appealed for support to sustain its training and research programmes.
Kananu reaffirmed editors’ commitment to upholding ethical standards, improving newsroom leadership, embracing innovation and enhancing the mental health and safety of journalists.
The function was graced by the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo, together with the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunication, Stephen Isaboke, who assured editors of the government’s commitment to collaborating with journalists to improve service provision.
By Chari Suche
