Following the mass demonstrations that have had the country on chokehold, it is devastating to have witnessed how press freedom was curtailed during the period of the protests. With journalists getting targeted, tools of work destroyed and a good number left hurt, it really has us questioning, do we understand about press freedom? Human rights and implications of sabotaging one of the pillars on which democracy thrives?
It is imperative to grasp the concept that media taking up the neutrality stance, helps to uphold as well as promote access to timely information which is rendered impossible when journalists are attacked, mugged and dered in their line of duty.
What was being perceived as being peaceful demonstrations has turned into a dark cloud for journalists intended to cover the ongoings , with their safety being jeopardized and equipment worth millions being destroyed , actions that should be highly condemned and the culprits brought to book.
Furthermore, attempts to dictate what the media can and cannot do have been a pressing issue, undermining the operations of the Media. A case in point, the call to boycott newspapers like The Star, spearheaded by key political figures , limits the extent to which press freedom can be exercised and the repercussions, reverberate all around financial, economic and political outcomes revolving around those affected and the country at large too.
Such efforts to ostracize in order to bend the Media to cater to the needs of certain individuals, degrades the probity and professionalism of the media industry, whereas there are proper channels and measures that can be taken by any person or body who has counteracting opinions against journalists, in lieu of acting out of their own volition.
To the Media Council and Media Complaint Commission, which handles issues pertaining to journalists, I highly advocate for them to take stringent punitive measures against those who were involved in executing unscrupulous misdeeds against journalists who got injured whilst undertaking their duties. This way, it acts as a light house for the journalists to know that they are not alone and that their work is not by any chance taken for granted. By so doing, it will also create a safe haven that clearly dictates that settling media altercations can take the right course without any contradictions, with justice being served at the end of it all.
I also believe that it takes courage to be out in the field covering stories of all nature, happenings that the public needs to be aware of and in good time. Hence, the journalists should be awarded and recognized often for their good and hard work, something that will encourage them to do more and feel appreciated whenever they have to go out there.
By : Joyce Wachau Chege.
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