The safety and welfare of journalists in Kenya must be understood not only in terms of physical protection but also psychological resilience, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has said.
According to Mr. Victor Bwire, Head of Strategy and Media Development at the Council, the conversation on press freedom and media performance is incomplete without deliberate attention to the mental health of media workers. He emphasized that this is not just a labour rights issue, but a matter of fundamental human rights.
“Highly stressed journalists and media practitioners are at risk of passing on their trauma to the country through the news they cover and present,” Mr. Bwire noted.
He explained that journalists in Kenya are increasingly exposed to traumatic material—whether reporting from frontlines or reviewing disturbing images and videos in newsrooms. Combined with job insecurity, shrinking revenues, and the struggle to meet basic needs such as rent, food, and healthcare, these pressures weigh heavily on their mental and social well-being.
Mr. Bwire observed that while some media houses have introduced protective measures such as insurance covers, bulletproof vests, and safety focal points, mental health support remains largely neglected. “The strides made in physical protection must now be matched with trauma and wellness strategies,” he advised.
He recommended structured interventions including counseling sessions to equip journalists with skills to process trauma and manage its aftereffects. Such initiatives, he said, would enhance both professional performance and responsible journalism.
Citing feedback from within media circles, Mr. Bwire highlighted signs of stress among journalists: anger, despair, anxiety, absent-mindedness, and in some cases, flashbacks triggered by everyday sights, sounds, or smells. Without support, he warned, these challenges could foster a “don’t-care” attitude in the newsroom, ethical lapses, or costly legal risks for employers.
Health experts, he added, caution that untreated trauma can lead to burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with devastating personal and professional consequences. Some journalists, under stress, resort to substance abuse, withdrawal, or strained relationships—all of which undermine the stability of the media sector.
“The media industry’s high turnover is strongly linked to these stress factors,” Mr. Bwire concluded, urging employers and support institutions to invest more in psychological safety. “Protecting journalists’ mental health is central to safeguarding press freedom and strengthening journalism in Kenya.”
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