The Gendered Dimensions of Journalists' Safety in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (2016-2021): Based on UNESCO's Journalists' Safety Indicators

"Female journalists are less secure in newsrooms and media houses than their male counterparts."



This set of four reports, including a synthesis report, outlines the gendered dimensions of journalist safety in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The reports share the findings of a study conducted from 2016 to 2021 by the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) with the support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The study sought to identify actions that have been taken by various stakeholders in promoting journalists' safety, especially female journalists, and in fighting impunity at both national and regional levels. The reports also provide recommendations to address gaps in journalists' safety for policymakers, media development organisations, and human rights actors.



The study's methodology was guided by the UNESCO Journalists Safety Indicators (JSI). The JSIs are designed to recognise significant matters that show or impact the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity. The research further gauged these critical issues based on UNESCO's Gender Sensitive Indicators framework (see Related Summaries, below). The study used qualitative methods that included both primary and secondary data collection. Primary data collection involved individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with a diverse range of stakeholders, including journalists, media managers, state and political figures, civil society representatives, academics, and UN personnel.



Each country report looks at the media and legal framework in the country, the gendered dimensions of journalist safety, and the roles of the various media stakeholders in addressing the safety of female journalists, as well as offering conclusions and recommendations for the way forward.  



Overall, the findings reveal a complex landscape where safety concerns intersect with gender dynamics. While both male and female journalists exhibit acute awareness of safety issues, their experiences are different. Female journalists encounter distinct challenges, including a less welcoming newsroom environment and heightened vulnerability to sexual harassment and cyberbullying. In particular, the findings across all countries show:

 

• Women journalists and media workers are faced with gender-based violence in the form of stigmatisation, sexist hate speech, trolling, physical assault, rape, and even murder. These threats inflict massive harm on their well-being, work, and freedom at large. And yet, amidst rising threats to the safety of journalists, the political will to protect freedom of expression and access to information - and especially female journalists - is declining.
• Within the newsroom, toxic masculinity pervades newsroom dynamics across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and perpetuates attitudes that underlie attacks against female journalists. Meanwhile, sexual harassment, unequal employment terms, and exploitation in the media industry persist. Female journalists are more likely to self-censor due to fear of violence and reprisal, a phenomenon that is seen as directly related to systemic failures in anti-harassment policies.
• Beyond the newsroom, journalists face a myriad of threats irrespective of gender. Physical threats not only impact individual journalists but also hinder the broader journalism profession from covering sensitive topics effectively.
• The digital realm presents new challenges, especially for female journalists, who experience extreme safety issues online. From invasion of privacy to online harassment, female journalists in East Africa find themselves disproportionately targeted.

Looking at the roles played by various stakeholders in promoting female journalists' safety, the reports reveal the following:



The media: Media organisations acknowledge the significance of journalists' safety and have developed safety policies to protect journalists. However, challenges in implementing these policies, especially concerning female journalists, persist. The spotlight on prioritising female journalists' safety is an important first step, but concerted efforts are needed for effective implementation.



The state and political actors: While state institutions recognise the importance of media freedom, specific measures for the safety of female journalists are notably absent. Legal frameworks exist, but the gendered aspect of journalists' safety lacks dedicated attention. Advocacy for targeted laws and policies is imperative to address this gap.



Civil society prganisations (CSOs): CSOs play a pivotal role in monitoring journalists' safety and advocating for their well-being. However, resource constraints limit their capacity. Collaborative efforts with international organisations and increased support are essential to fortify their impact.



Academia: Academia should integrate journalists' safety into training programmes and curriculum. The gap between academia, policymakers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the media indicates calls for more cohesive efforts to ensure journalists' safety.



The UN and intergovernmental bodies: The UN and international bodies show commitments to journalists' safety, particularly that of female journalists. Strategic partnerships, capacity-building programmes, and partnerships highlight a collective effort to implement the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.



The following recommendations that apply across all countries are highlighted in the synthesis report:

• Ensure gender-responsive laws and policies are enacted and effectively implemented to improve the safety of journalists, especially female journalists, who are most at risk. Gender responsiveness should be mainstreamed in state institutions that work to promote media freedoms and safety in all three countries.
• Adopt safety mechanisms for journalists, such as mechanisms to tackle the high prevalence of sexism, sexual harassment, and misogyny in the newsrooms. This process should involve a deeper analysis of the gender dimension of the safety of journalists from different contexts and perspectives and the adoption of frameworks that take the lived experiences of journalists seriously. Interventions should be gender-responsive at both individual and organisational levels. Media organisations and intermediaries should implement mechanisms to guarantee the safety of journalists, especially female journalists. There should be mechanisms to support journalists in speaking up against abuse and safety concerns.
• Include safety training in the curricula of journalism schools, comprising elements related to gender-specific safety concerns, as well as awareness of post-traumatic stress. Safety protocols should focus on holistic security: the psychological health of journalists exposed to traumatic experiences during their work, as well as digital and physical safety. Media professionals should be trained to recognise signs that colleagues may be affected by trauma so they can develop preventative measures and help facilitate timely support.
• Develop and effectively implement capacity-building and training programmes for CSOs, as well as judicial and law enforcement sectors, to ensure the safety of journalists.
• Support media stakeholders in building partnerships and collaborations to promote a gender-responsive, professional, and safe media industry for all.

In addition to a summary of the results, the synthesis report includes a section that summarises headline issues that were raised in discussions that took place at report dissemination workshops in the three countries.



Click here in order to download the 10-page synthesis report in PDF format.  



Click here to access the 32-page Kenya Report.



Click here to access the 34-page Tanzania Report.



Click here to access the 32-page Uganda Report.