Media Houses have been urged to develop comprehensive risk assessment register.
This will help on matters monitoring and evaluation of cases of impunity against Journalists.
Joseph Omondi- the Executive Director MIDRIFT HURINET says there has been several cases of impunity for crimes against Journalists in the country.
Speaking on Friday November 1, 2024 when he was part of a panel discussing on how to end impunity for crimes against Journalists, Mr. Omondi who is also a Human Rights defender and an advocate of good governance was categorical that Media Houses have a great role in ending the same.
He was however quick to point out that without Risk assessment register in place, then it becomes difficult to monitor and follow up with the cases.
“This is where we say there is need to have risk assessment register for monitoring these cases,” he stated.
The panelists discussed areas on how address risks during crises and emergencies and Legal and ethical responsibilities on risk assessment and planning.
This was during a forum to commemorate International Day to End impunity for crimes against Journalists.
The event held in Nakuru was organized by Media Council of Kenya in partnership with Kenya Editors’ Guild and Kenya Union of Journalists.
This year’s event is celebrated under the theme ‘Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies’.
The theme aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, highlighting the importance of peaceful and inclusive societies, universal access to justice, and the creation of effective, accountable institutions.
This year, the country has reported a surge in press freedom violation cases against journalists which goes against the United Nations protocols for journalists’rights and privileges.
The repercussions of such violations greatly impact the country’s World Press Freedom Index.
The meeting also presented an opportunity for representatives from government, civil society, academia, development partners, and the media to discuss the causes and devise appropriate measures and probable
solutions aimed at enhancing journalists’ safety while providing them with a conducive working environment to perform their duties.
The panelists included Mr. Joseph Omondi(Executive Director MIDRIFT HURINET), Ms Angela Muchai(Ag. Director, Information and Communication Kenya National Commission for UNESCO(KNATCOM), Mr. Joseph Muraya(SG Emeritus/Member, Crime Journalists Association Kenya), Ms Dinnah Ondari(Manager Press Freedom, Safety &Advocacy MCK), Ms Gladys Kinyua(Editor Radio Osotwa), Dr. Titus On serious(Lecture, Communication and Media Egerton University), and Mr. Steve Lelei.
The second Panelists included Mr. Vincent Monday(Head of the Mutual Legal Assistance Division, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutios), Mr. Elema Halake from IPOA), Ms Wanjeri Kariuki(Reporter Mediamax), and Ms Queenter Mbori(Executive Director AMWIK).
