CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2012 finalists announced

The finalists in the 17th CNN MultiChoice African Journalist competition were announced on 18 May 2012, by Ferial Haffajee, chair of the independent judging panel. This year the competition received entries from 42 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa. 18 May 2012 11:49

World Press Freedom Day: How technology impacts journalism in Kenya

[Carole Kimutai: @CaroleKimutai] The world has dedicated one day in a year to scribes 3rd May. This is World Press Freedom Day. According to the United Nations, it is a day that "celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession". 4 May 2012 11:53

President of Kenya urges media to be objective

The president of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki has challenged the media to demonstrate objectivity, balance and sensitivity in news coverage, particularly in the period of competitive politics in the country, in the countdown to the general elections, taking place in 2013. 3 May 2012 13:23

NMG's 11 rules of political advertising

[Carole Kimutai: @CaroleKimutai] One way politicians will market themselves is through media advertising. The Nation Media Group (NMG) has already set the rules as far as political advertising is concerned in the lead up to the general elections, expected to take place in March 2013. 17 Apr 2012 13:00

New magazine highlights film industry

[Laura Walubengo] A magazine has been launched to cater to the diverse film industry in the country, and the author's hope it will help put a spotlight on the immense talent displayed on Kenyan screens. 16 Apr 2012 10:48

2012 Citi Journalistic Excellence Award winners announced

[Carole Kimutai: @CaroleKimutai] The winners of the 2012 Citi Journalistic Excellence Award have been named. Business writers George Omondi and Moses Michira, both from the Business Daily were announced winners for the 2012 Citi Journalistic Excellence Award at a ceremony held at The Fairmont, Norfolk on 4 April 2012. 10 Apr 2012 09:49

Social media piles pressure on mainstream press

[Catherine Karongo] The growth of social media has brought with it challenges that have forced media organisations to change their operations. 8 Mar 2012 12:57

The pain of being a printer in Kenya

[Carole Kimutai: @CaroleKimutai] Anyone reading the Kenyan dailies would think the country will be holding an election in the next few weeks. Although a date for an election has not been fixed, political campaigns are already in top gear as people jostle for the increased political seats created by the new constitution. One of the main beneficiaries on an election are usually the printers. Unlike previous years where they would expect to be laughing all the way to the bank, this year, they could be crying as they run away from banks - literally. 24 Feb 2012 09:53

UK firm to boost climate change coverage in EA

[Walter Wafula] WRENmedia, a United Kingdom-based a specialist communications company is set to sharpen reporting skills of journalists covering climate change issues in Eastern Africa, according to Susanna Thorp, director of the firm. 3 Jan 2012 09:07

[Highway Africa 2011] Making the media work with the civil society

[Gregory Gondwe] A meeting of senior media gurus from five African countries, took place on Saturday 17 September 2011 at the Highway Africa Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, agreed to disagree on whether the media needs to be bed fellows with civil society to achieve either parts' objectives or not. 19 Sep 2011 10:37

Germany to promote budget reporting in East Africa

[Walter Wafula] Germany's International Institute for Journalism (IIJ) is set to train East African journalists on covering public spending to improve reporting on national budgets and the use of tax payer's money. 7 Sep 2011 10:01

Kenyan scribes get training on election coverage

[Carole Kimutai] Internews, an international media development organisation has launched a media programme aimed at equipping Kenyan journalists on covering elections. The 'Free and Fair Media' training programme is intended to promote the growth of developmental journalism that allows media to set the agenda that is futuristic, offers solutions to societal challenges and mitigates conflicts situations. 29 Aug 2011 08:21

Research shows evolution of Kenyan media landscape

[Carole Kimutai] Research on Kenyan media audiences has revealed that Kenya is more urban than 12 years ago as the population becomes more affluent. This is according to a countrywide research conducted by research firm Synovate under the Kenya Audience Research Foundation (KARF) also reveals the growing popularity of entertainment content. 26 May 2011 12:47

Press freedom celebrations tempered with concerns

Yesterday, Tuesday, 3 May 2011, was the 20th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, begun in Namibia as the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media throughout the world. Celebrations around the world were tempered with concerns about the erosion of press freedom and in South Africa, SANEF called on Government to review its proposed legislations that has seen SA downgrade from 'free press' to 'partly free'. 4 May 2011 09:13