Tragedy of shrinking media space and how country can alter trend

A group of journalists read through a report on how media is under pressure. [Courtesy Nzau Musau]

As the world commemorates the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists today, a worrying pattern of events further shrinking media space is taking place in Kenya.

In an ironic twist, the more Kenyan democracy is growing in age the more its quality is degrading, and consequently the bolder the drawbacks on media freedom, independence and safety of journalists.

On Friday last week, media managers, editors and practitioners gathered for a launch of a policy paper on media freedom funded by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, and to reflect on what to make out of this downward spiral.

While the Constitution guarantees media freedom, the statutes enacted to implement it have incrementally eaten them away. State officials are staging the most brazen public attacks on the media with zero sanction from their bosses or other lawful agencies.

To compound the problems further, media enterprises have run into financial headwinds, which are now threatening their very existence. There is no respite for the industry.

“More than ever, we now have more alliances all impeding against free, independent and bold media. From hostile security apparatus, grudgeful state officers, harsh business operating environment, limping regulator, a docile international community and a self-harming media itself, everything is working against media freedom,” Martin Masai, a veteran editor and trustee of the Kenya Editors Guild, told the gathering.

Masai decried the laxity to bring to account people who brutalise journalists, including during the recent demonstrations staged by the opposition coalition, Azimio. Journalists were clobbered, teargassed, their tools of trade destroyed, and the country has since moved on swiftly.

At the forum, Standard Group Editor-in-Chief Ochieng’ Rapuro underscored the pivotal role of media in a democratic set-up. He pitched for development of policy and legislation which positively promote media freedom, viability and sustainability.

“There has to be an injection of fresh talent every year into the industry, but the internal environment has to be conducive for young journalists to thrive and to want to stay in the newsroom,” he said while speaking to constant raids of media expertise by other industries.

Nation Media Group Managing Editor Pamela Sittoni delved into the thorny issue of media ownership, saying it should be structured in a manner that promotes independence of the media, and its ability to pursue public interest.

“It’s not all gloom. There are certain bright spots we can build on. The Kenya media is still a big force to reckon with in its defence of public interest despite all the problems we are going through,” Sittoni said.

Other panelists at the event- Julia Majale (Managing director Tuko News), Sam Gituku (Senior anchor and TV host Royal Media Services) and Duncan Khaemba (Nation Media journalist and chair of the Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association) called for greater collaboration and innovation to beat present challenges.

The paper authored by media scholar Prof George Nyabuga assessed the impact of 2022 political transition, public campaign against media by state officials,  boycott calls by opposition leadership on certain media products, and government advertisement policy on media freedom.

It also analysed the self-inflicted threats to media freedom arising from newsroom dynamics of the present age, the hostile media economy, digital disruption and the pecuniary hazard to a free press.

The paper recommends stronger solidarity amongst media houses and the greater civil society movement, a thorough review of all legislation violating media freedom and promotion of media literacy to members of the public.

The paper also advocates for the establishment of a media support fund to address pressing financial challenges, enhance media independence and to prevent media capture.

It calls on the government to implement tax exemption or reduction for media enterprises and its products, to disband the Government Advertising Agency, to hold to account state and public officials undermining media freedom, and to prioritise investigation and prosecution of individuals who have attacked journalists.

“We all should, with the government at the forefront, defend press freedom even if we do not agree with what they write. This ought to be the starting point,” said Friedrich Naumann Foundation Country Director Stefan Schott.

-The writer is a senior programme manager at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation