Journalism To Be Treated As Any Other Professional Career, It’s The Mirror Of The Society Or Watch Dog
It’s always believed that Journalism is the professional career for those people who failed in Mathematics at high school level but the fact remains that Journalism is professional career that people wish to be as many Journalists have been seen breaking the ceilings. It’s a career that one enjoys himself in the media space covering the events or standing Infront of the camera airing news to millions of people not in the country only but worldwide and some arise as celebrities like Jeff Koinange Sam Githuku Ann Njogu, Stephen Mukangai and many more like Stephen Lethoo . Therefore, Journalism should be treated as any other professional career since it acts as a watch dog.
The fact by which people underrate journalists and even going to an extent of threatening their lives more so those who venture in the field covering events to bring out news that are happening at the ground level where everybody is unable to detect is not pleasing at all but undermining the journalistic growth and activities.
On Tuesday 2 March 2024, the Media Council of Kenya released a press statement that really shocked us as the upcoming journalists in the Media space over the threats inclined with Journalist Obare. Mr Osinde Obare based in Tranzoia county who was covering a burial event in Goseta in Tranzoia county on 22 March 2024.
According to MCK Mr Obare documented a clash between the followers of two political leaders. Since the incidence, Mr Obare has faced a series of threats including anonymous phone calls and attempted break- ins at his residence. In addition, the council has written to the Inspector General of police calling for thorough investigations into the threats and harassment against Mr Obare and bring the culprits to book. This also reminds as a bout the time when one of the C’s in the current regime was really attacking the media of Kenya though the temperature was cooled later.
Media is the mirror of the society and without Journalists there is no media. Therefore, there are some community aspects which affect people like cultural practices based on FGM, Gender based violence, child labour and many more which requires the Media to reflect out rather than people suffering in darkness but its so unfortunate that most journalistic attacks are inclined with political leaders. What are they doing behind the cameras? Give Journalists time and humble environment to perform their tasks instead of paralysing their activities.
Furthermore, political leaders should understand that Journalists are also employed therefore, they should give them freedom to work as per their limits as long as ethical considerations are upheld as outlined in the CODE OF CONDUCT for journalistic activities. People should respect Journalists undertaking their duties by no underating them. No is perfect but we need each other to work as a unit. Once the event has been covered fully, as a leader of the event you have to listen to the news and identify your strengths and weaknesses and work on your weaknesses. They should remember that, as they exercise their duties the Journalists are there also for theirs since we’re at a symbiotic environment.
Therefore, we appreciate the Media Council of Kenya led by CEO David Omwonyo and his team by fully supporting Mr Obare ensuring his safety. In addition, the Ministry of information and communication technology led by C’s Eliud Owalo has another assignment of Educating political leaders to respect Journalists as Journalism should be treated as any other professional career since it allows them make ends meet and it has created employment despite being a privately owned majorly.
Obedi Omenda, Mary Oseko and Mordesta Akinyi Communication and media students Rongo university.
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