Journalism considered life-threatening profession UN

Journalism considered life-threatening profession  UN

Hundreds of journalists have lost their lives while gathering news and informing the public, with many cases going unpunished, with journalism being considered a life-threatening profession, the UN has said.

In Kenya there have been several cases of journalists being killed in the line of duty, amid growing concern for their safety, with many more receiving threats.

Julius Joho, who is among scribes who have been threatened, told Citizen Digital that journalists receive threats in their line of duty, despite the fact that it is their job to provide citizens with information.

“If it comes to the point that our lives are threatened in the course of our jobs it is not good. We have seen journalists’ equipment destroyed, and colleagues threatened with physical harm,” he said.

“Our duty is to ensure that citizens get information and we want our safety assured,” he added.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Media Council CEO Harun Mwangi said 22 journalists have filed complaint of threats to their lives this year.

“We usually work well with police to inform them of complaints from journalists, and we have some money put aside for journalists in need of protection,” he said.

This even as ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru maintains that the government is committed to media freedom.

“We are committed to freedom of the press and expression as enshrined in the constitution, however, this freedom must be exercised responsibly,” he said.

UNESCO assistant director general for communication and information, Frank La Rue, on Wednesday while marking the International day to end impunity for crimes against journalists called for countries to take decisive measures to counter the ensuing culture of impunity.

More than 700 journalists have been killed globally in the line of duty between 2004 and 2014, according to the UN.

This is a sign that not all countries embrace freedom of speech and the media and being a journalist is considered a life-threatening occupation.

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journalism UNESCO

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