This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
On June 28, 2020, the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) urged the government to provide tax incentives and waive Communication Authority licensing and signal carriage fees to support the media industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
KEG President Churchill Otieno emphasized that the government's support for other sectors, such as tourism, should also extend to the media industry. 'The government committed to support the tourism industry, the same consideration should be offered to the media industry with funds from other available resources,' Otieno said.
KEG recommended the establishment of a Media Sustainability Fund to help the industry survive the crisis. The guild also urged the government to clear pending bills owed to media houses and expedited payment of these bills.
KEG Vice President Samuel Maina called for a humane approach to layoffs and pay cuts, advising employers to 'talk to your workers' and consider their families and financial obligations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted Kenya's economy, leading to layoffs and pay cuts in various sectors, including transport and tourism. The media industry has also been affected, with declining advertisements, events, and print sales resulting in significant revenue losses.
According to KEG, over 300 journalists have lost their sources of income over the past nine months.
