Courage Under Fire: Standing Up Against Violence and Impunity on Journalists

Across the globe, journalism faces significant threats, with impunity persisting in cases involving the arrest, detention, and even murder of journalists. This situation is particularly dire in Kenya, where the challenges are magnified for women journalists.

In 2024, Kenya was ranked 102 out of 180 countries in the Global Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a decline from its previous ranking of 116 in 2023. Recent attacks on journalists, such as the shooting of Catherine Wanjeri and the abduction of Macharia Gaitho, underscore the growing dangers faced by media professionals.

As we commemorated the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, it is crucial to highlight these issues and the unique obstacles women journalists encounter in their pursuit of justice and safety.

Women journalists often endure both physical and digital attacks while bravely uncovering truths about corruption, issues of societal interest and human rights abuses. These pressing concerns were central to discussions at the recent African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) held in Johannesburg, South Africa, which gathered over 450 journalists from 32 African nations.

Coinciding with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the conference underscored the urgent need for protective measures for media professionals.

AMWIK has been at the forefront of advocating for increased participation of female journalists in investigative journalism while prioritizing their safety and security. AMWIK’s participation in the AIJC further solidified its commitment to these goals.

AMWIK’s Executive Director, Queenter Mbori, emphasized this commitment at the AIJC, stating the critical need to create an environment free from harassment and impunity. Her sentiments align with a nine-point agenda adopted at the conference aimed at addressing these challenges.

The AIJC participants developed a nine-point resolution that calls for urgent action from both governments and civil society:

1. Release Detained Journalists: Governments should free all journalists unlawfully detained for their work and withdraw charges against them.
2. Establish Investigation Mechanisms: An international mechanism must be created to investigate crimes against journalists in Africa.
3. Prohibit Surveillance: Mechanisms should be put in place to prevent government and private-sector surveillance of journalists.
4. Data Protection: Stronger data protection measures are needed across African countries to safeguard freedom of expression and protect journalists’ communications.
5. Collaboration Among Organizations: Civil society must enhance collaboration among journalists’ safety organizations and human rights defenders to effectively report attacks on media personnel.
6. Support Systems for Journalists: Establish dedicated helpdesks for journalists facing online harassment or security breaches, including rapid response mechanisms.
7. Advocacy for Female Journalists: Increased advocacy is necessary to ensure the safety of female journalists through strong newsroom protocols addressing harassment.
8. Digital Literacy Programs: Roll out digital literacy programs focusing on artificial intelligence use in newsrooms and digital security training tailored for high-risk journalists.
9. Strengthen Collaborative Networks: Foster sustainable investigative journalism through cross-border partnerships and resource sharing among media organizations.

AMWIK remains committed to enhancing women’s roles in journalism through training programs that focus on digital safety and security, ensuring that female journalists are equipped to navigate these challenging environments effectively.