
Journalists bear the primary responsibility of their personal safety in the line of duty, the Kenyan Union of Journalists (KUJ) says.
Addressing journalists, KUJ Secretary for Gender and Safety Kwamboka Oyaro, expressed concern that many journalists in Kenya and other parts of the world suffered serious injuries – some permanent – and others lost lives in the line of duty for failing to take precautions.
Speaking in Kajiado County during a two-day workshop on Safety and Gender Equality for Journalists, Oyaro noted that during the Generation Z (Gen-Z) anti-tax protests, many journalists were caught up in the crossfire and suffered serious injuries.
The caution was sounded as statistics showed that last year, Kenya fell from a ranking of 69 out of 180 in the annual Reporters Without Borders press freedom index to 116. The dip was precipitated by cases of harassment by people in authority, politicians and the business community amid a surge in hostility, characterised by police brutality against journalists during public demonstrations as well as overt antagonism from the government.
Against this backdrop, Oyaro urged journalists to always be aware of their surroundings and prioritise their safety even as they cover unpredictable situations.
“When the physical risk is high, it’s important to know when to stop reporting and get to safety. Your safety must come first when chasing a story. No story is worth your life; always be aware of your surroundings when covering demonstrations so that you can be able to tell the story and not become the story,” said Oyaro.
The workshop reflected on a troubling year during which a series of protests spurred by opposition leader Raila Odinga’s rallying cry against the soaring cost of living and purported vote manipulation saw journalists assailed by law enforcement and demonstrators alike.
March 2023 was dubbed “the darkest month for Kenyan media” by the Media Council of Kenya. No fewer than 25 reporters suffered attacks from both rioters and the police. Among them was NTV’s Eric Isinta, who sustained burns and fractured jaw after he was struck by a tear gas canister.
“While covering the demonstration on March 30 in Nairobi, I was on top of a vehicle then the teargas was thrown towards us, that’s the moment I knew we were to die,” the videographer told Institute of War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). “I remember police officers who were tasked to protect us hitting me with teargas that took me down.
Oyaro told journalists to always carry proper identification as well as don appropriate attire for the assignment. She pointed out that journalists must always assess the risk, be aware of the weapons being used around them and know when to stop reporting and run to safety.
Oyaro also spoke about the importance of maintaining objectivity while covering sensitive stories, noting that censoring certain information becomes necessary for the greater good and a journalist must exercise their judgement to protect the country’s peace without compromising their role as agents of the Fourth Estate.
“The code of conduct for journalists must be followed to ensure that in pursuit of the truth, you do not violate the privacy of victims or traumatise the audience by broadcasting distressing images,” she added.
Kenya Union of Journalists Secretary General, Eric Odour, implored journalists to register as members so that their rights can be canvassed for. Oduor said many journalists get into trouble while pursuing stories and added that the KUJ usually comes to their aid in the event they are sued.
He noted that the union is currently involved in advocacy issues such as press freedoms and the rights of scribes in the country adding that the union also fights for the welfare of the journalists at their workplaces and ensures that they are remunerated well.
The KUJ secretary-general reiterated the need for journalists to stick to the code of conduct to ensure that they do not get into conflict with their news sources.
“Plan your work well, use the right tools in seeking information, and you will never go wrong in your reporting,” said Oduor.
Kurgat Maridany, a journalist based in Kajiado, noted that the training was timely given many journalists have faced harassment and violence in the course of their duties. He noted that through the training, he had gained skills and knowledge on how to protect himself while covering volatile events and not get caught in the crossfire.
“This training has equipped me with the right skills and knowledge on safety and security procedures to enable me to carry out my duties when I am out in the field,” Marindany said.
Another journalist, Nancy Chepkoech, expressed concern that threats to journalists are not exclusively physical as the mental health of journalists working in volatile zones is also an issue. She called on media owners and organisations to offer mental health coping services and workshops for journalists to arm them for reporting volatile and traumatic events.
“Journalists witness a lot of traumatic events while covering demonstrations and this may affect their mental health. It is important for them to undergo frequent counselling and mental health support to enable them discharge their work effectively,” Chepkoech said.
- A Tell / KNA report / By Rop Janet