Media Council of Kenya CEO David Omwoyo/HANDOUT
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has unveiled a new framework aimed at recognising veteran journalists and broadcasters while creating structured opportunities for them to mentor the next generation of media practitioners.
The framework, which will be officially launched in September, seeks to institutionalise the recognition of media veterans and preserve decades of professional knowledge that often leaves the newsroom when experienced journalists retire.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative in Nairobi on Thursday, MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo said the programme marks a shift from what he described as "brain drain" to "brain gain" by ensuring experienced journalists continue contributing to the profession through mentorship and knowledge sharing.
He said the initiative is intended to celebrate the achievements of veteran media practitioners while providing a platform to discuss their welfare and continued contribution to the journalism profession.
"This memorial will not be celebrating the past. It will be launching the future," Omwoyo said.
He noted that experienced journalists possess valuable institutional memory, professional ethics and practical newsroom skills that should be passed on to younger practitioners instead of being lost after retirement.
According to Omwoyo, MCK will provide secretariat support for the September event, which will also mark the golden jubilee of one of Kenya's veteran broadcasters while recognising other pioneers in the industry.
Veteran journalists welcomed the move, describing it as long overdue and saying the profession has for many years lacked structured ways of appreciating those who dedicated decades to informing the public.
The initiative also received backing from industry leaders, who said many journalists leave active practice early without formal programmes to preserve their expertise or address challenges they face after retirement.
They called for stronger collaboration between industry stakeholders to expand mentorship opportunities and ensure newsroom experience is transferred to upcoming journalists.
The September event is expected to bring together journalists, editors, broadcasters and other media stakeholders to celebrate the contribution of media veterans while discussing the future of journalism in Kenya.
Beyond the celebrations, the framework is expected to establish a more structured approach to documenting the contributions of veteran journalists and creating regular mentorship programmes, masterclasses and professional engagements for young reporters.
The initiative also aims to stimulate conversations on the welfare of retired journalists and explore ways of keeping experienced professionals actively engaged in strengthening ethical journalism and newsroom standards.
The Media Council of Kenya is the statutory body established under the Media Council Act to regulate, develop and promote the media industry in Kenya.
Among its key mandates are promoting press freedom and media independence, setting and enforcing professional and ethical standards for journalists, accrediting journalists, handling public complaints against the media through the Complaints Commission, and supporting capacity building across the journalism profession.
Through the new framework, the Council hopes to preserve the industry's institutional memory while strengthening mentorship, professionalism and ethical journalism for future generations of Kenyan media practitioners.
