The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has raised concern over a rising trend of harassment and intimidation of media practitioners covering Covid-19 pandemic.
KNCHR now demands that media practitioners be allowed to carry out their duties without intimidation and coercion.
“KNCHR makes this statement to express its displeasure and concern at the intimidation and harassment being meted on broadcast and print journalists during their noble assignments of providing Kenyans with the much-needed information on the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the rights body on Wednesday, April 8.
So far, several cases of journalists being harassed and intimidated in the line of work have been reported.
Some of those who have been harassed in the line of duty include Mombasa-based NTV journalist Peter Wainaina, Weru TV journalist Gregory Muriithi, Citizen TV journalists John Wanyama and Charles Kerecha.
Two Standard Group journalists, Julius Chepkwony and Daniel Chege, were also summoned over stories pertaining to the curfew and lockdown due to coronavirus.
KNCHR warns that there is a bid to coerce, in the latter case, to reveal their sources of information.
“All these instances smirk intimidation, harassment and threats to members of the fourth estate. Media etiquette all over the world is succinct when it comes to the protection of news sources,” said KNCHR.
The rights body noted that calling out journalists instead of their respective publishers exposes them to grave danger and compromises their safety and security.
