Concerns over press freedom dominate media summit

ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo arrives at the Annual Media Summit at The Edge Nairobi. He is welcomed by Media Council CEO David Omwoyo. [Benard Orwongo, Standard] Press freedom and the rapidly evolving digital landscape took center stage on Thursday at the annual National Media Summit held in Nairobi. Speakers at the media event raised alarm over government interference, the misuse of emerging technologies, and increasing threats to journalists and media institutions. "We are living in a digital age where the speed and scale of information dissemination are unprecedented. Technology has become both a powerful tool and a destructive force. We face the harsh reality of misinformation, hate speech, disinformation and eroding public trust," said William Kabogo, the Cabinet Secretary for Information Communication and Digital Economy. Kabogo said that AI-generated deepfakes and fake news are threatening the truth in journalism. He urged the media to report truthfully and ethically, pushing back against the perception that the government seeks to control the press. "Government is not in bed with the media council. Criticise government and criticise government responsibly. Let us report things as they are. This is our home. There is no other. Let us be accountable to the people we serve," said Kabogo. However, Zubeidah Kananu, President of the Kenya Editors Guild raised serious concerns about rising state intimidation. "Just recently, the Communication Authority threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of the Standard Group PLC over a debt. The BBC was barred from privately screening its 'Blood Parliament' documentary. These actions point to a disturbing pattern, an erosion of press freedom and an attempt to intimidate and silence the media," said Kananu. She said that Kenya's ranking on the RSF (Reporters Without Borders) World Press Freedom Index has plummeted from position 102 in 2024 to 117 in 2025. "That sharp decline reflects the harsh reality on the ground. The threats to media independence are real, growing, and journalism is not a crime," said Kananu. She also raised alarm over the broader digital threats, including internet shutdowns and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping narratives. "We marked this year's World Press Freedom Day just hours after High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye issued an order stopping the Communication Authority from interfering with internet access. This ruling comes amid fears of internet disruptions and threats to digital freedoms," she said. Kananu acknowledged the opportunities AI presents, especially in content creation and revenue generation. "I have personally witnessed digital employees hosting shows and commercials. We are now in an era where AI can transcribe, caption, generate graphics, research, edit and proofread, just in a matter of seconds," said Kananu. She cautioned against the blind adoption of AI without ethical guardrails. David Omwoyo, the Media Council of Kenya CEO unveiled a comprehensive report on public perceptions of the media. The report, drawn from a survey of 3,714 respondents across all 47 counties, revealed shifting trends in media consumption. Social media is now the leading source of news for nearly 37 per cent of Kenyans, outpacing both radio and television. Radio, traditionally a stronghold of Kenyan media, is now primarily a morning medium, while TV dominates in the evening hours between 7 and 10 p.m. "Citizen TV leads with 75 per cent of viewers tuning in, followed by NTV and KTN. Classic 105, Radio Jambo and Radio Maisha dominate radio listenership," said Omwoyo. Omwoyo announced the launch of a revised Code of Conduct for media practice 2025. "We have had a marathon with this code. In the past 90 days, we decided we will stop at the finishing line," said Omwoyo. The revision was driven by the previous code's limitations and a High Court ruling that declared the Broadcasting Code unconstitutional, ordering the MCK to establish age-appropriate standards within six months to protect children and vulnerable groups. "It prioritises safeguarding children, victims of sexual violence and vulnerable individuals, while combating hate speech, religious incitement and ethnic conflict. Further, it regulates user-generated content, Al and emerging technologies, alongside gaming, betting and lottery content, ensuring an ethical media landscape," said Omwoyo.

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