By Betty Luke
Stakeholders from various sectors in Isiolo County have hailed local journalists for acting as a link between the residents and duty-bearers and championing for the interests of the needy members of the community.
Local business people and advocacy groups recognized the essential role that journalists play in informing, educating and pushing for action on different issues affecting the community.
Isiolo Gender Watch Executive Director Grace Lolim said journalists were key in amplifying the voices of the lobby groups while also highlighting challenges faced by the communities at the grassroots level.
“Journalists are human rights defenders because they help highlight violations at the grassroots level. They are key in advocacy because they help amplify our voices for action,” she said.
The stakeholders also appreciated the role of scribes in keeping residents in the know saying it contributed to informed decisions by the public.
Her sentiments were echoed by Mfinyanzi Investment Limited CEO Joyce Karuoya and businessman Osman Shariff who called on the leaders to work closely with journalists and support their work through enhanced access to information.
Mr Shariff said should journalists take a back seat, the leaders would not be accountable to the electorates.
“It is only a dishonest leader who will curtail press freedom because they want to hide their wrongdoings. One who can account for their resources will treat a journalist as a friend,” said Mr Shariff.
According to Ms Karuoya, there was a need for journalists to look for alternative sources of income including investments to stay afloat at a time when the media industry is facing sustainability challenges.
She called on the group to consider investing in land as it appreciates faster than other forms of investment.
“We urge journalists to consider investing with us on land. Land is an asset and as long as you identify a genuine seller, you are sure to reap big after sometime,” she said.
Isiolo journalists’ Chairperson Waweru Wairimu told off local leaders hiring goons to attack journalists online saying they would soon be exposed.
“It is unfortunate that some leaders orchestrate attacks on journalists simply because they feel we do not sing to their tune. We warn them to cease such acts, failure to which we will institute legal actions against them. We are professionals who should not be fought for doing our work,” said Mr Waweru.
His sentiments were supported by members Daniel Kalung’e and Jackline Mungathia who both called on local leaders to ensure access to information by journalists and other community members.
They spoke during this year’s World Press Freedom Day on Friday.
