In a significant move to bolster Kenya’s media landscape, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) have officially renewed their partnership. This collaboration, formalized through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is a powerful statement of commitment to enhancing the safety and professionalism of journalists across the country, with a specific and much-needed focus on the unique challenges faced by women in the industry.
This renewed alliance comes at a crucial time. The media landscape is evolving rapidly, and so are the threats journalists face, both online and offline. By joining forces, MCK and AMWIK are setting a precedent for a more coordinated and impactful approach to these issues.
The partnership will focus on four core pillars:
The MoU places a strong emphasis on the safety and protection of journalists, especially women. The organizations will jointly advocate for better protection protocols with key security and judicial bodies. This is not just about raising a voice; it’s about creating tangible change by engaging with the very institutions responsible for upholding the law. A key part of this will be the joint monitoring and documentation of threats against media professionals, creating a comprehensive record that can be used to hold perpetrators accountable.
A cornerstone of this collaboration is a joint review of Kenya’s existing media framework and policy. As the industry changes, so must its regulations. The review will be a critical opportunity to ensure that the new framework addresses emerging issues and, most importantly, incorporates specific measures to safeguard women journalists who are often targets of gendered harassment and abuse. This forward-looking approach will help create a more robust and responsive legal and policy environment for all media practitioners.
Recognizing that a healthy media ecosystem depends on an informed public and collaborative stakeholders, the partnership will also organize joint forums on media and digital literacy. These sessions are designed to empower the public with the skills to navigate the modern information landscape, distinguish credible news from misinformation, and understand the vital role of a free press. Furthermore, the organizations will host dialogues with key stakeholders to promote constructive journalism and ensure media content is responsibly produced while upholding national values.
This collaboration is not an isolated effort. It is part of the larger strategic framework of the Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG), a coalition of various media stakeholders including the Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) and the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ). This collective approach, as highlighted by MCK’s CEO David Omwoyo, ensures that the efforts of each organization are amplified and that a unified front can be presented in advocating for industry-wide reforms.
The partnership between MCK and AMWIK represents a significant step forward in securing a free, safe, and professional media environment in Kenya. By focusing on the protection of women journalists and the modernization of policy, this alliance promises to lay a stronger foundation for the future of journalism and democracy in the country.
