This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Kenya's Media Industry in Crisis ¶
As of this year, there are 3,249 journalists working in Kenya and accredited by the Media Council of Kenya. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the decline of the media industry's traditional sources of income, leaving many journalists without jobs or facing salary cuts.
According to the Nation Media Group, 379 journalists work for the company, but the industry as a whole is struggling to stay afloat.
On July 10, 2020, the author argued that a stimulus package is necessary to keep journalism alive and kicking.
The Constitution of Kenya guarantees the freedom and independence of the media, and the government is specifically barred from exercising control over or interfering with the dissemination of information by the media.
Article 34 of the Constitution ensures that the media remains independent and free, and Article 33 guarantees the right to freedom of expression and the freedom to seek, receive, or impart information or ideas.
Without a robust media, many of the things prescribed in the Constitution would be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.
As the author noted, "These rights can hardly be achieved without the effective operation of the media."
Furthermore, Article 11 requires the government to promote all forms of cultural expression through the mass media, and Article 232 provides for values and principles of public service, including high standards of professional ethics, efficient and effective use of resources, accountability, transparency, and public involvement in the policy-making process.
None of these things can be achieved without journalism that is alive and kicking.
