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{
    "id": 1151119,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1151119/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 34,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Farhiya",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13179,
        "legal_name": "Farhiya Ali Haji",
        "slug": "farhiya-ali-haji"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, hailed as the fourth pillar of the democracy, journalists have time and again risked their lives and reputation to reveal the details behind social happenings such as accidents, numerous events or even scandals. In a bid to appreciate their hard work every year, 3rd of May is observed as World Press Freedom Day. The special day celebrates the spirit of journalism and recognizes the dedication of journalists towards ensuring an informed populous. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of the press freedom across the globe, defend the attacks on media independence and pay tribute to journalists who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. This year’s theme is “Journalism Under Digital Siege.” The theme highlights the ways that endanger journalism and its consequences on public trust over digital communication. It focuses on risk phase by journalists as a result of their surveillance and digital mediated attacks. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as we celebrate this day, it is important to realise that press freedom is one of the surest ways of ensuring that there is some sense of security for all. Press has a major role to play in society majorly through gathering and dissemination of information. The purpose of a free press is to ensure that people are free to receive and convey information that is not manipulated, or serving a particular person, entity or interest. Hon. Speaker, as we mark this day, I want to take this opportunity to applaud our remarkable journalists and reporters. Mr. John Allan Namu, who won the Cable News Network (CNN) multichoice African Journalist Award in 2009 was influential in covering post-election violence and has exposed corruption in high echelons of power. He has exposed other ills in the society, including but not limited to terrorism and drug trafficking. We also celebrate Jeff Koinange who has hosted many invigorating shows on Kenyan television. Hon. Mohammed Ali who has risked his life severally due to investigative journalism. Other noteworthy journalists include Julie Gichuru, Johnson Mwakazi, Victoria Rubadiri, Kwendo Opanga, Makau Mutua and Grace Kuria, among others. Mr. Speaker, Sir, although journalists and reporters play a big role in the society, they face a myriad of challenges. These challenges include intimidation, physical or cyber bulling, surveillance, kidnapping, threats, arbitrary arrests, assault and lack of access to public facilities, authorities or data. As we mark the World Press Freedom Day, I call upon the media houses and owners to: (1) Ensure protection/security of all media personnel while on duty. (2) Provide attractive remuneration for members of the fourth estate. (3) Have a benefiting insurance cover for reporters, especially investigative journalists."
}