The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has responded to the ongoing crisis in the Kenyan media landscape, finally putting their foot down on the issue.
This is after numerous alarms have been raised on delayed salaries by majority of media houses, the latest one being from Standard Media Group.
In a hard-hitting statement issued by the journalist union, signed by the secretary general of the Kenya Union of Journalists, Erick Oduor, KUJ started by acknowledging the tough business environment in the country.
However, this empathetic statement was promptly followed by quickfire demands.
“This notwithstanding, payment of salaries is not open for discussions. Delayed and non-payment of salaries of journalists and media workers by a number of media houses in Kenya has reached a crisis level and become the biggest threat to media freedom and human rights in Kenya,” the statement reads in part.
Additionally, KUJ noted the issues facing Standard Media Group, where journalist had come out decrying immensely delayed salaries.
The union had addressed the issue and consequently, some of the salary arrears were repaid.
KUJ Says the Media Situation is Still Bleak
According to the journalist’s union, the situation was still bleak, and journalists were suffering.
“Children go to be bed hungry and some have even dropped out of school because their parents are unable to meet their financial obligations as a result of the don’t care attitude that has been adopted by some media managers whose families feast on cheese for dinner and drink wine before going to bed if I were to quote Karl Marx,” the statement cited, pointing at the agony faced by not only news men and women but also their families.
Further the statement noted that the pain men and women in the media are feeling has been inflicted by delayed salaries with some newsmen and women going for 10 months without pay without any justification.
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“Let me remind media owners that they are operating in a space where public trust is paramount and, therefore, they cannot hold other people to account if their own hands are not clean,” the KUJ statement further reads.
Similarly, KUJ outed three media stations from where they had received distress calls including The Standard Group PLC, Mediamax, and Radio Africa Group.
“We have received distress calls from three media houses mainly, The Standard Group PLC, Mediamax and Radio Africa Group that have not paid their staff and correspondents for about 10 months in the wake of difficult economic times and high cost of living in the country,” the statement cited.
KUJ Ropes in Government
Likewise, the journalist’s union blamed the government for the crisis in the media industry, due to delayed payment of dues.
“While we urge the government to pay pending bills, which is partly blamed for the sorry state of affairs in the Kenyan media, we expect media owners to be sensitive to the welfare of their journalists and guarantee timely payments of salaries,” KUJ stated.
In a list of demands, KUJ challenged the government to clear the pending bills to enable media houses meet their financial obligations.
Also Read: Govt Intervenes in Standard Group Woes After Uproar
Additionally, the government was clamored to stop using advertising as a blackmail tool to cripple the media.
According to the union, all media houses should provide proof of payment of salaries before accessing government advertising.
“Corporate governance be included in checklist before any company is allowed to do business with the government and private sector,” the statement further cited.
Further Demands for Wellbeing of Media in Kenya
Legislations were also considered on the statement noting that all media houses should be in full compliance with the Employment Act.
Further, it was good news for journalists as KUJ demanded that the parliament should pass legislation to put in place regulations that set minimum pay for journalists.
KUJ said the establishment of Media Development Fund to support media development work in Kenya is a crucial necessity.
