Back in 2007, I joined the Standard Group as a graphic designer. I had just left Parents Magazine after a short 13-month stint, having seen the pioneer family publication upgrade from a black-and-white print into colour. At I&M House where Standard Group was, I got to experience first hand the bouquets and barbs of working in media. It was a thankless job, so much pressure, dissolving yourself in an unending daily cycle, that at times got you leaving work after midnight. Not to mention that I worked there until after PEV in 2008. Trust me, I saw so much.
It wasn’t all gloomy though, I happened to have met one outlier photo journo called Boniface Mwangi, who hit my photography passion off the lazy orbit onto a crazy unplanned tangent. Although he initially doubted my skills and called me a ‘Photoshop photographer’, that newsroom interaction with Bonnie went to build my career in leaps and bounds.
Today is World Press Freedom Day, celebrated every May 3rd, a pivotal moment that shines a spotlight on the right to freedom of expression and the essential role of the press. Established by the United Nations, this day serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting journalists and upholding the right to a free press around the world.
As artists and creatives, we need to understand that journalism is not just about relaying news—it’s an art form driven by a diverse group of creative professionals. Writers craft the narrative, shaping complex information into written stories that resonate with the ordinary mwananchi. Photographers and videographers capture moments that are often more powerful than words, providing a visual context that is essential in today’s media.
Cartoonists and illustrators bring a unique perspective to news with visuals that can satirize, criticize, or simplify complex issues. News presenters and reporters are the faces and voices that deliver these stories, connecting directly with viewers and readers. Each of these roles is crucial; they not only inform public opinion but also influence the cultural and social fabric of our societies.
I write this with mixed feelings because we in the Kenyan creative sector have always been at the periphery, perhaps until this Kenya Kwanza government coupled our space with the digital superhighway as its key pillars of ‘The Plan’. This is entrenched in the party’s manifesto. Last year, we had the Creative Economy put on a pedestal on one of the National Day celebrations, and of course, the State House Launch of Talanta Hela initiative.
The rise of digital media and social media has transformed the landscape of journalism. This digital evolution has democratized information dissemination, allowing anyone with internet access to post and share news. You agree with me that you now know more about floods from Whatsapp groups, Tik Tok and Facebook, than from Yvonne Okwara, though she will give you the death toll at prime time.
Social media platforms have become powerful tools for mobilizing uncensored public opinion and for journalists to source and disseminate news quickly. However, this has also led to challenges such as the spread of misinformation and the blurring of lines between verified journalism and content creation. We may not know which ‘old dam’ broke to wipe out villages, but trust me when Nyakundi told us a chopper had gone down, the masses believed him. The big media houses, upholding media ethics, were playing catch up!
The digital age has necessitated a recalibration of journalistic practices. It demands rigorous fact-checking and ethical standards to maintain credibility in an era where news breaks at lightning speed across multiple platforms, leaving little room to wait for that beautiful couple on Citizen TV at 7pm or Jeff Koinange and his fire extinguisher at 9pm.
As we observe World Press Freedom Day, it’s crucial to reflect on the evolving roles within journalism and the ongoing impact of digital transformation. Supporting press freedom means advocating for the safety and rights of all those who contribute to the journalistic process—affirming the indispensable role of creative professionals in sustaining informed and engaged wananchi.
Usanifu News (Kenya) 