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Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki yesterday called for a review of the payment terms of Kenyan journalists.

Speaking during the World Press Freedom Day in Nairobi, Kindiki said though thousands of journalists continue to highlight issues affecting the society daily, they lacked even basic human provisions because of poor pay and uncaring media sector actors who find the trend normal.

“It is pretentious of us to expect an independent media and unbiased information from reporters when journalists go for months without pay and others cannot sustain themselves because the pay is too little,” he said.

Kindiki called on media owners to pay salaries commensurate with their day’s work and today’s cost of living.

“There must be an equal pay for an equal day,” he added.

The Ninister said he acknowledged a threat to the individual safety of journalists and pledged that his ministry would not hesitate to punish those who threaten reporters in their line of work.

“We firmly believe in an open society and the media represents this openness in our democracy. We will continue protecting journalists to do their job – online and offline,” he said.

This year’s theme is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all Other Human Rights”.

Protect media space

Kindiki pledged to work with all media players to ensure the current media space is not only protected but is expanded systematically in order to eliminate opaqueness in the security sector that more often than not leads to misinformation and speculation.

That includes meeting with media owners, Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), Kenya Correspondents Association, Media Council of Kenya and Crime Reporters to discuss issues affecting the sector and media freedom in the country.

ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo on his part urged media houses to provide journalists with sufficient ICT equipment for work. The CS, in a speech said the equipment provided should be used both in newsrooms and in the field.

“This will ensure information currency and proper audience interactivity,” he said.

He added that technology had brought convenience to audiences as one can view, listen and read what they want, where and when they want. According to the CS, smart media houses have taken advantage of this enabling technology to build vast and loyal digital audiences.

“There is a need for training to equip journalists with digital skills, including training on the use of information sourced from social media,” the CS said.

Social media platforms

Owalo also said reliable information was increasingly becoming difficult to find, adding that those who invented various social media platforms had every good intention to give our generation opportunities to interact and share knowledge and experience.

“Unfortunately, these platforms increasingly distinguish themselves for selling untruths, fake news and even blatant intentional falsehoods,” he said.

The World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3 every year, was declared by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression. Journalists across the country yesterday celebrated  the World Press Freedom Day with calls for  scribes  be protected and allowed do their work.

Harassment of scribes

In Kisiii, Gusii Scribes Welfare chairman, Joshua Araka deplored rampant cases of harassment to scribes, terming it wrong and unacceptable.

Addressing the press at Magombo and Rigoma markets during the celebration, he said some Scribes were hurt during protests and called on the government probe the incidents and take action against perpetrators.

“ Our work is enshrined in the constitution. We should not be victimized for doing our work” Araka said.

He noted it was wrong for goon to attack Journalists,  damage their equipment and confiscate them. Journalist Magati Obebo said journalists work under difficult conditions and should be respected and allowed carry out their work. He said the media has made gains and it will be wrong to erode them through the violation of the freedom of the media.

“ The media is the mirror of society. Journalists arhe messengers whose work is to inform, educate and entertain” Magati said.

Araka Matara, Nyanza Region Kenya Correspondents Association chairman said some leaders were interfering with the freedom of the media for selfish interest.

He said Kenyans will not allow people with vested interests to infiltrate the media.

“ The role of the media is clear in the constitution 2010. Journalists should be protected by all and sundry” Matara said.