This archive report was first published on 3 January 2020.
As the world welcomes a new decade, Kenya's media landscape looks bleak. The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has observed a surge in infringement on media freedom in 2019, with attacks and violations of journalists' rights while they carried out their duties.
According to KUJ Secretary General Eric Oduor, some judicial officers have aided powerful forces by granting gag orders against the media. "The union takes issue with frivolous defamation cases filed against journalists, of which a large number has been filed by public officers," he said.
Oduor expressed concern over the increase in pre-publication censorship, where some people extract orders barring media firms from telling their stories. He urged the courts to stop issuing pre-publication bans and injunctions, citing Article 34 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought.
As the media continues to face challenges, KUJ remains committed to defending the rights of journalists and media workers. The union's efforts aim to promote media freedom and hold public officials accountable for their actions.
