NAIROBI, Kenya, May 2 – Journalists around the world will commemorate World Press Freedom Day on Monday, amid myriad challenges threatening the industry and more so its viability due to the effects of the COVID pandemic -19.
In Kenya, a series of events were organized by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), with the main event to be addressed by Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi and Principal ICT Secretary Esther Koimett.
The theme of the 2021 celebrations is information as a public good, which is a call to affirm the importance of information and to explore ways to advance transparency and the empowerment of journalists.
“The theme of this year’s celebration is a call to affirm the importance of treasuring information and exploring what can be done in the production, distribution and reception of content to strengthen journalism and advance the transparency and empowerment without leaving anyone behind,” MCK said in a statement.
The celebration coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press, which led the United Nations to proclaim World Press Freedom Day in 1993.
“Freedom of the media is a basic human right that demands respect and works best when people promote and access information,” said MCK Director of Media Training and Development, Victor Bwire.
“Access to information is an enabler of citizens’ participation in governance and matters that affect their lives, so we should embrace advance disclosure of publicly held information for the benefit of Kenyans. Journalism depends on information from people and places that are credible and accessible from that information, and only that information allows people to understand and appreciate the value of human life.
The MCK will also launch the Media Sector Legislative Review Report, which is a review of legislation affecting journalism and media practice in Kenya.
The analysis looks at 20 laws that in one way or another affect media performance in Kenya.
Speaking on the significance of the day, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said, “One of the key pillars of democracies like the United States and Kenya is a free, open, and democratic society that our media. I deeply appreciate the role you play every day to ensure that the people we are responsible for are informed about what governments are doing, that there is transparency and accountability.
Kenya Journalists Union General Secretary Eric Odor said: “We need to think about a government-backed stimulus package. We also need a media sustainability fund to help media organize training, mentoring and research. We have to lobby the government to find this fund.
He was speaking at a panel on Saturday, to discuss working conditions in the media industry.
