The Kenya Editors Guild has raised concerns over the escalating threats and attacks on journalists in the country warning that it risks sinking the society.
The Association which defends and promotes media freedom and editorial independence raised the red flag on Thursday when Kenya joined the global community in observing the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
Guild Member Francis Mureithi said journalists in many countries, Kenya included, are being threatened, attacked and even murdered for bringing essential information to the public.
“Journalists are being threatened and attacked for covering corruption and other serious crimes,” Mureithi said.
Mureithi said those in power and security agencies are perpetuating the attacks.
“We have seen journalists being attacked during political rallies and other political activities. We have witnessed influential politicians making public statements against journalists, some going to the extent of ordering their supporters to boycott certain media houses. All these amount to impunity and crime against journalists,” Mureithi said.
He said law enforcers have been singled out as perpetrators of violence against journalists.
Mureithi cited instances such as protests, public demonstrations and even elections where security agencies attack the press.
He said those attacked during the protests that were called by opposition leader Raila Odinga are yet to get justice.
“Attacks against journalists create a climate of fear for them, impeding the free circulation of information. This is even more critical during the electioneering period because it prevents citizens from making informed choices,” he said.
Mureithi said when the attacks are perpetuated by those who have the duty to protect; the role of law enforcement is questioned.
He said there is a need to improve the relations between journalists and security agencies in order to promote freedom of expression and ensure that crimes against journalists do not go unpunished.
Mureithi said there are also legal threats from the judiciary against journalists, designed to stifle unwanted narratives and public debate exist.
He said the weaponization of the law has been demonstrated by unjust rulings against journalists and media houses.
“Defamation laws, both criminal and civil, continue to be used all over the world to prevent open public debate and shield powerful individuals from legitimate criticism.”
Mureithi decried the rise in civil defamation, which has the potential for excessive damages.
This, in turn, encourages self-censorship or the automatic publication of an apology to mitigate the risk of a possible lawsuit.
Mureithi cited a recent case where a magistrate sentenced a journalist to six months in jail over alleged misreporting, with the magistrate citing criminal contempt.
He also cited cases where courts order media houses to pay hefty fines for alleged defamation, sometimes over Sh 20 million in just one defamation case.
“We should strive to build a judiciary that promotes free speech and a judiciary that promotes and protects the work of journalists.”
Mureithi also cited online harassment and hard economic times as other challenges facing the media.
Kenya Union of Journalists Secretary General Eric Oduor cited several cases where journalists have been summoned by DCI for doing their work.
“Allow journalist to do their job,” Oduor said adding that there has been unprecedented attacks on journalist this year.
Oduor warned that press freedom in the country was declining at an alarming rate.
He said Kenya was ranked 69 last year and 161 this year in press media freedom by Reporters without Borders.
The SG urged DPP to disclose the number of perpetrator’s files forwarded for action in order for them to be held accountable and allow the media to operate freely.