Journalists have been called upon to prioritize their safety while covering volatile events.
According to Kwamboka Oyaro, an official at the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), many journalists in Kenya and internationally have been seriously injured with others have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Speaking in Kajiado County during a two-day workshop on, Safety and Gender Equality for Journalists, Oyaro noted that during the Gen-Z demonstrations, many journalists were caught up in the line of fire.
She urged journalists to always be aware of their surroundings and prioritize 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.
Oyaro further called on journalists to always carry proper identification as well as don appropriate attire for the assignment.
She added 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 adding 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 traumatize 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 their duties and added that the KUJ usually assists them whenever 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, reiterated that the 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 organizations 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.
By Rop Janet