WANGARI NJOROGE: Safety of journalists is key towards 2022

The safety of journalists is key at this time as we head towards the 2022 general election.

Journalists are essential service providers whose role of collecting and disseminating information to the public is vital and might at times get risky for them.

It is not once that we have heard of a journalist who has been injured or even died while on duty as they try to unearth mysteries such as the investigative kind and give stories that the public deserves to hear.

As the campaign period begins and as elections approach, these journalists are expected to be on their feet to get the stories right for all the social media platforms.

It is in the code of conduct for journalists to be unbiased, less opinionated and accurate as they might paint bad pictures, in pursuit of telling the truth, for some of the politicians vying for the seats next year.

These compromising situations might risk their freedom, their jobs and their safety in general.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Kenyan Union of Journalists and any other body responsible for the welfare of journalists should ensure that they are safe during the whole election coverage.

Having a conducive and safe working space also weighs in heavily on mental wellness.

Most journalists fell into a bubble of damaged mental health and hallucinations after covering the 2007 Post Election Violence.

They had to take pictures of burnt bodies, interact with people experiencing trauma and in worse incidents, encounter dead bodies.

Physical and mental wellness is an assurance of productivity.

Being well all-round means that one will work more effectively and efficiently when they know they are safe physically and have nothing tormenting them mentally.

This said journalists should be celebrated for their selflessness, long working hours for each story they put their heart into.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris