Journalists to nurture students in new plan

By Peter Ochieng

Kenyan journalists are today joining hands with colleagues around the world, in marking World Press Freedom Day.

The day is marked every May 3rd, dating back to 30 years ago.

This year's theme is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights."

In Kisumu, Kisumu Journalists Network (KJN) Chairman Rushdie Oudia said the day is marked at a time when journalists are facing various challenges, occassioned by Azimio La Umoja One Kenya protests.

A dozen of journalists have been attacked by either goons or police, while others have lost their property in the Lakeside County, in the event of covering the demos.

Citizen TV's Dismas Nabiswa, Oudia and Sauti ya Matumaini Radio's Faith Walucho are among those to have so far been attacked during the protests.

Oudia writes for the Nation.

In a statement read on his behalf by KJN Vice Chair Maurice Alal who writes for the Star, he said 2023 has turned out to be tough for journalists because of the demos.

"It has been a tough year for us, in the view of the heightened political activities in the country. The demonstrations have seen many of us attacked in the line of duty, others profiled and trolled on social media and many others lose their jobs because of various interests within and outside the media houses."

He said KJN will soon roll out a program to nurture students in schools, through the journalism clubs, from primary to tertiary level.

"The network will involve journalism clubs in 30 tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools by visiting and engaging them on various issues surrounding journalism, the changing trends, content creation, new writing, broadcast and communications in general."

"The program will start with 10 learning institutions from Kisumu County this year and 20 others the following year."

Alal who was flanked by treasurer Wycliffe Odera, said despite the challenges, their are a lot of milestones to be celebrated by journalists in the country.

At the national level, Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kithure Kindiki urged Media Owners to pay journalists well, as a way of promoting free and independent press in the country.