Pressing Media Freedoms

Journalists agitating for media freedom in Kenya.

Keeping power in check; media, justice and the rule of law; is the theme this year as the media practitioners celebrate World Press Freedom Day 2018.

Death by Government author, Rudolf J. Rummel, once observed that ‘concentrated political power is the most dangerous thing on earth…’ he added that ‘the more power any regime has, the more likely people will be killed and therefore, the more pressing reason to have and promote freedom.

It is important to observe that power and governance is an essential component that affects the operation of media and the freedom of the press. It is not incumbent for the regime of the day to back the media on any activity the media does but at the very least, the government can work to ensure the freedoms which are inalienable, are protected unconditionally and constitutionally.

Today, in keeping up with the spirit of the ‘handshake’ and reconciliatory mood in Kenya, I will forgive the regime that in the past have showed intolerance to Kenyan and foreign media by shutting down the media houses that covered the mock swearing in of Raila Odinga early this year.

Journalist in the course of his duty (right)

How many times, even if we have to keep up with the gospel of forgiveness president Uhuru Kenyatta has been preaching yesterday afternoon, can we forgive the government and the bureaucrats that have become an obstacle to the progress of Kenyan democratic space? 

It is to our eternal credit that we realize, as a citizenry first and then as media practitioners, that the fundamental of effective governance lies in the attainment of a free and independent media (even though the ‘independence’ is a story for another article).

The press must understand that independence and impartiality does not do away with truth. When the media reports, the truth, it is better than reporting what is neutral, because whereas neutrality does not get one off the fence, the Truth, sets one free: 

Freedom is good. Freedom knowing that one has derailed the course of injustice by adding ones voice or thoughts to a matter of importance. That is the essence of journalism. That is why, as an accredited journalist, I will not tire to resist injustice that any person or group of people are being subjected to. 

Cruelty visited on the weak and vulnerable by the state and the mighty must be opposed with the contempt it deserves. When court orders are blatantly disregarded by state and subjects, then we must sound the alarm for what is the law for but for the sustenance of order.

The theme this year is profound. Profound and right for the Kenyan context; the world recently witnessed yet another brazen attempt to roll back the press freedoms enshrined in our constitution under the article 34. (This speaks against any form of state interference with the media).

Journalist Steven Leto being carried away from the JKIA after sustaining injuries

Case in point when the media was covering the standoff at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where journalists Steven Letoo, Sofia Wanuna and Robert Gichira were assaulted by police on the 26^th of March 2018 in the course of their work.

No matter of substance would come off quoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 33,34 and 35 among other wordy legislation if there is disregard for truth and integrity among us. And Press Freedom becomes little more that a charade. 

Just like we did not need the constitution to bring about the ‘handshake’ that miraculously washed-clean the illegitimacy stain on the government’s cloth, so must we need, at the  very least goodwill, for state actors to respect these pressing media freedoms.