This archive report was first published on 3 May 2021.
On May 3, 2021, Kenya marked World Press Freedom Day, a day that comes at a time when many journalists and media workers are facing censorship, abuse, harassment, detention, and even death for doing their jobs.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) held a series of events to mark the day, whose theme is 'Information as a Public Good.'
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of supporting a free, independent, and diverse media. 'In too many countries, journalists and media workers face censorship, abuse, harassment, detention, and even death, simply for doing their jobs,' he said in a video posted on his official Twitter handle.
Kenya's ranking in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index report, released last week, stood at position 102 out of 180 countries and territories evaluated. The report highlighted the challenges facing the media sector post-COVID-19.
Speaking at an event organized by MCK in Nairobi, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi urged media owners to pay reporters and correspondents well, demanding integrity in return. 'We risk making them captives of government and news sources' if they do not, he said.
British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriot emphasized the importance of media freedom in a functioning democracy. 'We need an independent and sustainable media, with laws, policies, and professionals to serve society,' she said.
