Calls for regional cooperation to end impunity for crime and attacks on Journalists

 CEO Media Council of Kenya David Omwoyo addressing Journalists and other stakeholders in Kisumu today during the commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crime and Attacks Against Journalists {IDEI}  2019.There is call for regional cooperation to end impunity for crime and attacks on Journalists-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

 By Dickson Odhiambo.

November 2, 2019

Calls for regional cooperation to end impunity for crime and attacks on Journalists 

 The Kenya Media Sector Working Group has called for a regional approach to help in ending impunity for crime and attacks against Journalists within the East African Region.

The Group and Kenyan National Assembly leadership has today organized IN Kisumu the first ever international seminar to commemorate known as International Day to End Impunity for Crime and Attacks Against Journalists {IDEI}  2019.  

 The event titled Strengthening the Regional Cooperation to End Impunity for Crimes and Attacks against Journalists in East Africa, brought together media regulators from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania; legislators from Uganda and Kenya, journalists’ organizations, journalists’ trainers and editors. 

 “Public spirited journalism in the region is coming under intense pressure as colleagues have been forced to self-censure for fear of reprisals. Investigative journalism is the most affected. We need to join hands to unequivocally condemn any attacks on journalists,” said, Churchill Otieno, the President, Kenya Editors Guild.  

He says Journalists across the country should do their work in line with the Code of Conduct for the practice of Journalists in the country.

“The best time to fight the impunity against journalists is when one is attacked and we have to join hands together in doing this,” Otieno says.

The New Chairman of the Media Council of Kenya Board Maina Muiruri says the Council has a department dealing with protection of all accredited journalists across the country, adding the basic rights of journalist should be met first.

“MCK is aware of the violations journalists are undergoing and will never them unattended,” Muiruri says.

Marakwet West Member of Parliament who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on ICT William Kisang says there is need to review the law so as to make the media fraternity more strong.

He says training of journalists should be ever there so as to help in enhancing their capacity, adding that Journalists especially those at the grass root level should be well enumerated to enable them do their duties effectively.

Suba South Member of Parliament and the Leader of Minority Party at the National Assembly John Mbadi says there is need to realize that some legislations are still hindering press freedom in the country.

He says that media needs self-regulation, adding that some punitive laws which has been in place should be re-looked at for review.

He urges the media to interrogate matters with a lot of objectivity.

Chairman Kenya Correspondents Association Oloo Janak says there is need for a regional approach to say no to impunity for crimes and attacks against Journalist within the region.

 A member of the Kenya Editors Guild Jane Godia says women journalists face unique forms of attacks ostensibly because of their gender.

She says media organizations with the support of owners and senior managers have a duty to protect women journalists by developing clear gender mainstreaming strategies informed by comprehensive active gender policies.

 David Omwoyo, the Chief Executive Officer of Media Council of Kenya said while the IDEI was started focusing on two foreign journalists killed in Mali, local journalists, men and women continue to bear the brunt of impunity. 

“The killing of Francis Nyaruri (2009) and John Kituyi (30th April 2015) among others in the country are symptomatic of the challenge we face as the media fraternity,” Omwoyo says.

The seminar comes in the wake of increased attacks and threats on journalists and a reigning legacy of impunity in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. So far Kenya has recorded 50 cases of attacks against journalists in the last one year. Impunity remains high as only two incidents have been investigated and violators prosecuted. 

 

 Tanzania recorded 16 incidents of harassment and intimidation. They had six arrests. Impunity level is very high. No investigation has been instituted into the attacks. Most arrests and attacks in Tanzania are by state security agencies. The arrest of Eric Kabendera and his continued incarceration and the enforced disappearance of Azory Agwanda is emblematic. 

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