NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) hosted eight regional dialogue forums across Kenya in May 2025 to commemorate World Press Freedom Day (WPFD).
This initiative aimed to foster media dialogue among a diverse range of stakeholders.
The forums took place from May 5-9, 2025, with support from the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa.
Since 2018, KCA has been committed to facilitating regular engagements between the media, journalists, and key actors, including county government officials, rural-based non-state actors, and citizen groups.
Focusing on the WPFD 2025 theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”, the forums were held in eight counties across Kenya: Kisii, Kisumu, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Makueni, Isiolo, Mombasa, and the capital, Nairobi.
Grassroots Engagements
KCA has adopted a decentralised approach to encourage greater participation, robust engagement, and the inclusion of rural-based journalists, grassroots civil society organisations (CSOs), human rights activists, and government officials at both the county and national levels.
“We are committed to creating opportunities for stakeholders in the regions to understand the importance of press freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information,” stated KCA Chairman Hudson Araka Matara during the forum in Kisii.
The forums also included outreach to non-traditional Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) partners about ethical content creation and the implications of emerging technologies, including AI, on journalism.
Participants discussed existing accountability frameworks and responsible digital engagement to combat disinformation and hate speech on digital platforms.
The aim was to foster collaboration and enhance the accountability of the content produced and shared in these counties.
Speakers highlighted the democratisation of information via social media and citizen journalism, while also warning against the dangers posed by misinformation, unethical reporting, and sensational narratives.
Ethical Reporting
At the Nairobi Forum, Esther Kamweru, a former CEO of the Media Council of Kenya and veteran editor, remarked, “Artificial intelligence and other technological tools are shaping our news and influencing how journalists deliver content. We must remain ethical in our content creation and responsibly use the digital space to prevent misinformation and disinformation.”
Veteran editors and senior journalists emphasised the importance of editorial rigour, ethical decision-making, and critical analysis.
They urged fellow journalists and media professionals to document their experiences and the history of the media sector, asserting the need for frameworks that support continuous knowledge transfer, experience sharing, and mentorship.
“We cannot afford to lose our compass. Journalism must remain rooted in the public interest, not just in public attention. All of us must promote ethical reporting and utilise AI responsibly within our media spaces,” said Ken Bosire, a veteran editor and panellist at the Nairobi forum.
AI’s Double-Edged Sword
Panels comprising journalists, county government officials, CSO representatives, academics, and community leaders engaged in spirited discussions about the impact of artificial intelligence on media and other sectors, exploring both its positive and negative implications.
Participants acknowledged the value of AI in media but stressed the need for responsible use to prevent the spread of fake news and misinformation.
They also called for increased training for journalists on AI and emerging technological tools.
The forums emphasised the need for enhanced collaboration and regular interactions between the media and other stakeholders at the grassroots level, along with intergenerational conversations and mentorship within the media sector to ensure continuity and build a more resilient media ecosystem.
Additionally, there were calls for the media sector, CSOs, and the government to work collaboratively to promote press freedom, as well as to safeguard civic space, enhance accountability, democracy, and amplify citizens’ voices.
Muzzling the Press
Other issues addressed during the forums included the rising violations against journalists in the regions, particularly following the Gen Z protests last year, which resulted in injuries, denial of access to information, and damage to equipment.
Journalists urged county governments and other agencies to facilitate access to information for more accurate reporting on governance and development initiatives in their areas.
Attendees from county and national governments, CSOs, and other stakeholders praised KCA and UNESCO for organising the forums, calling for sustained collaboration to address these pressing issues.
romondi99@theeyeswatchmedia.co.ke
