Journalists and media practitioners within Eastern African region are operating in a climate of fear with threats to their personal safety.

A consultative meeting on journalists’ safety heard that many journalists are increasingly becoming traumatized, but lack necessary counseling to deal with the situation. It was organized by East Africa Journalists Defense Network in collaboration with Article 19 and European Union. The meeting is a follow up to similar meeting held in February 12, 2008 and dubbed Nairobi Roundtable. As was before, the meeting found that safety of journalists and media practitioners in Kenya and entire region has never been seriously addressed.

The meeting also noted that most media practitioners are sent on assignment without adequate facilitation including transportation, logistical support and backup. Article 19 Regional Director Henry Maina said many regional journalists lack basic training on how to safeguard their personal safety and understanding of conflict patterns. He urged media owners to provide insurance cover, more so to the numerous correspondents and freelancers.

Social Scientists Professor Kimani Njogu urged journalists to build solidarity networks at local, national, regional and global levels. He challenged journalists to stand up and support their colleagues, despite divisions along moral, ethical, political, ownership and economical lines. “Corruption in journalism at levels from individual journalists to editors receiving offered favors, inducement and bribes politicians must stop,” said Professor Njogu.

Police spokesman Erick Kiraithe promised at the meeting that journalists covering the upcoming general elections will be provided with utmost safety. “The safety of journalists will be prioritized, but media must also refrain from covering sensational stories to avoid unnecessary conflicts. He however accused some journalists of not adhering to professional ethics by filing stories that are later proved to be false.

Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) Chairman Oloo Janak observed that most journalists are not provided with adequate safety gear and kitting. This, according to Janak, is more so for photographers and journalists covering violent and dangerous events.

The meeting also decried existing constitutional and legal framework, which denies journalists’ freedom of expression, press freedom and human rights. It was attended by stakeholders from seven regional countries who agreed that regional media were suffering from weak institutions in terms of membership, financial and organizational capacity.