Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day called for a review of journalists pay.
CS Kithure Kindiki opined that many journalists lack basic human needs due to poor pay and uncaring players in the media sector despite being on the forefront to highlighting issues affecting society.
“Allow me today, to speak for and on behalf of the thousands of journalists on our planet who speak about our issues daily but lack even basic human provisions because of poor pay and uncaring media sector actors who find this normal,” the CS said.
The CS further urged media owners to make journalists compensation proportional to their day’s work and today’s cost of living.
“Today is my day to call for a review of the payment terms of journalists in our country – ensuring they are given some remuneration commensurate with their day’s work and today’s cost of living. There must be an equal pay for an equal day.” Kindiki noted.
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Moreover, Prof. Kithure Kindiki highlighted a threat to the individual safety of Kenyan journalists.
As such he promised that his ministry will punish those who threaten reporters in their line of duty.
“We firmly believe in an open society and the media represents this openness in our democracy. We will continue protecting journalists to do their job – online and offline and punish those who threaten the safety of reporters in their line of work,” he added.
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every May 3. The WPFD was declared by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness on the importance of freedom of the press as well as to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.
This year’s theme for the World Press Freedom Day is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a driver for all other human rights”.
