The 7th annual Scribes Kenya End-of-Year Party was held on Saturday, December 7th, at the LB Lounge in Ngong, Kajiado County.
The event brought together journalists and communication professionals for networking, celebration, and reflection.
Celebrating Excellence and Addressing Challenges
The party recognised outstanding achievements in journalism, with Nakuru-based photographer and journalist Suleiman Mbatiah being named “Scribe of the Year 2024.”
Mbatiah was honoured for his innovative use of digital technology and his successful career in the digital space.
Scribes Kenya President Roncliffe Odit acknowledged the challenges facing the media industry, including declining advertising revenue, layoffs, and economic pressures.
He emphasised the importance of solidarity within the journalism community, urging colleagues to support each other, particularly in terms of mental health and career development.
Addressing Industry Concerns
Odit highlighted several critical issues facing journalists:
- Economic Challenges: Dwindling advertising revenue has forced media companies to make difficult decisions, including layoffs.
- External Pressures: Journalists face challenges such as editorial interference, physical threats, and intimidation from state and corporate actors.
- Need for Innovation: The changing media landscape necessitates new approaches to journalism, including embracing digital platforms and exploring new revenue streams.
Odit called upon journalists to:
- Support each other: Offer assistance to colleagues facing hardship and promote a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Advocate for better working conditions: Demand fair wages and improved working conditions for all journalists.
- Share opportunities: Journalists employed by international media organizations were encouraged to share job openings with their Kenyan colleagues.
Numerous prominent journalists and communication professionals attended the event, including Kameme TV host Agnes Nonsizi, Radio Maisha’s Billy Miya, BBC radio presenters Phyllis Mwatee and Sarafina Robi, K24’s Busara Naaman, and Zakheem Rajan, a senior communications officer from the Judiciary.
