After the World Press Freedom Day on Monday, we are taking stock of the gains, opportunities and challenges in the media industry, and trends that are affecting free and independent media. Media are a strong player in shaping national development processes while at the same time being the most trusted institution. Journalists and media practitioners — freelancers, employees of community media outfits, independent online content producers or staff of national media houses — have braced for legal hurdles, physical threats, intimidation from judicial officers, advertisers, media owners and fellow journalists to bring us news that we identify with. Challenges that seem to stand out in the face of free and independent media include editorial influencing by corporates/owners and advertisers, censorship, threats to jobs, physical threats to media practitioners, corruption, and poor working conditions. Mr Bwire is Director, Media Training and Development at the Media Council of KenyaShare this story

Source: Standard Digital May 05, 2021 00:00 UTC