Silent Newsrooms, Silenced Voices: AMWIK Pushes Bold Agenda as 60% of Kenyan Journalists Report Sexual Harassment

Silent Newsrooms, Silenced Voices: AMWIK Pushes Bold Agenda as 60% of Kenyan Journalists Report Sexual Harassment

Nairobi, Kenya — August 19, 2025

Sexual harassment has emerged as one of the most urgent crises facing Kenya’s media industry, with new findings showing that six in ten journalists have endured harassment during their careers. A series of damning reports by the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) reveal that not only is abuse rampant in newsrooms, but it has also been normalized, silencing survivors and stifling press freedom.

According to the latest AMWIK study, 65% of female journalists have faced verbal or physical harassment in the workplace. Globally, harassment is a known issue, with 41% of women journalists reporting incidents. But Kenya ranks among the worst, topping a WAN-IFRA survey across 20 countries. The situation is compounded by silence: 83% of women here never report abuse, fearing retaliation or dismissal, while 70% of perpetrators face no consequences.

“Sexual harassment is not just an attack on individuals, it is a direct threat to equality, safety, and the very integrity of our journalism,” AMWIK stated at the report launch.

The culture of impunity is fueled by entrenched gender imbalances and predatory newsroom hierarchies. Interns and young reporters eager to secure mentorship or job opportunities are especially vulnerable to exploitation by senior colleagues. Survivors who come forward often face victim-blaming, with surveys showing that more than half of male journalists believe harassment stems from how women dress or behave.

“This revolving door, where known offenders quietly move from one newsroom to another, must end,” warned a Kenya Editors’ Guild representative. “Every unpunished case signals tolerance and destroys trust in our institutions.”

In response, AMWIK has spearheaded an ambitious reform agenda. Over the past two years, the association has developed a model Sexual Harassment Policy, now adopted by 12 media houses, introducing confidential reporting systems and clear disciplinary measures, launched men-to-men engagement programs in Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nairobi to challenge toxic newsroom cultures and build male allyship, produced documentaries and mentorship programs amplifying survivors’ voices while guiding young journalists through safer career paths

Partnered with UNESCO, the Media Council of Kenya, JHR, and African networks, pushing for regional accountability frameworks such as the Kigali Declaration.

Still, AMWIK acknowledges that policies alone cannot break the silence. Survivors need confidential psychosocial support, perpetrators must face industry-wide sanctions, and newsroom leaders must lead by example.

“Our vision is bold but clear; zero harassment in media,” AMWIK declared. “Every journalist deserves a safe and dignified workplace. The time for silence is over; accountability must begin now.”

With pressure mounting from advocates and global partners, Kenya’s media houses face a defining test: will they confront this silent crisis, or allow it to continue undermining the profession from within?