NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 16 – Editors and other practitioners in the media industry are urging a task force reviewing laws and regulations governing the sector to prioritize the welfare of journalists and sustainability in its final report.
The 28-member sector working group, chaired by the University of Nairobi’s Prof. Mwololo Waema and deputized by Dr. Hannington Gaya and Microsoft Country Manager Phylis Migwi, is tasked with reviewing all laws, policies, and regulations governing the media and ICT sector to foster creativity and innovation.
The Friday discussions at the Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi were facilitated by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, a German political foundation which promotes liberal values across the world.
“We believe that that free media is an essential aspect of democratic practice, and we are here to underscore this and facilitate freedom of the media is an important liberal value,” said Stefan Schott, the foundation’s country director who also presented to the Group their latest research policy paper on the state of Kenyan media.
Bernard Momanyi, Editorial Director at Capital FM, emphasized the importance of sustainable remuneration for journalists amid tough economic times. “Today, most media houses, including the state broadcaster, struggle to pay their journalists,” he said.
Kenya Editors Guild’s Council member for Print Linda Bach and Kwamboka Oyaro echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for media houses to prioritize fair compensation for journalists.
Momanyi also urged the task force to include recommendations on unity in engaging big tech firms to ensure fair compensation for media content. “The task force should come up with strong recommendations that will unite all media in negotiating with big techs,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from countries like Australia, where the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code is operational, editors urged the government to adopt similar measures.
The proposed media sustainability fund, aimed at cushioning the media from shrinking advertising revenue, particularly in promoting content related to cultural and developmental issues, was also lauded.
Joe Ageyo, Editor-In-Chief at Nation Media Group, emphasized the need to reclaim media’s lost prominence in democracy, while Martin Masai of Mbaitu FM advocated for the devolution of media power and resources.
Task force chairman Tom Mshindi affirmed the commitment to engage stakeholders and ensure proposed reforms viability.
“The task force has a specific mandate on deliverables, but we will try to accommodate these other views, including the welfare of journalists,” Mshindi said.
The task force has two more months to present a final report to the government for consideration and implementation.
