Honoring the legacy of Joe Kadhi: Reflections from the 3rd commemoration day

By Dr. Ruth Owino

The School of Communication, Cinematic, and Creative Arts marked the 3rd Commemoration of Joe Kadhi Day on November 28. This event celebrated the life and legacy of Joe Kadhi, a trailblazer in ethical journalism and a staunch advocate for press freedom.

The keynote address by Mohammed Uhuru Kadhi highlighted the ongoing relevance of ethical journalism in a rapidly evolving media environment. He discussed five critical challenges facing journalism today: balancing press freedom with national security, countering disinformation, adapting to technology without compromising ethics, protecting whistleblowers, and fostering international collaborations. He called for practical solutions like revisiting restrictive laws, building capacity for ethical reporting, partnering with fact-checkers, and establishing secure systems for investigative work. Victor Bwire of the Media Council of Kenya echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the pivotal role of ethics in journalism. He stressed the importance of educating the public through media literacy, ensuring accountability through robust newsroom practices, and safeguarding journalists covering sensitive stories.

Two-panel discussions provided deeper insights into the evolving media landscape. The first panel, “Building Public Trust and Protecting Press Freedom in the Digital Age,” featured experts like Brian Wasuna (NTV), Kevin Mabonga (Katiba Institute), Jackline Walumbe (Aequitas Global Limited), and John Njiru (ESG Journalist). The discussion centered on fact-based journalism as a counter to disinformation, policy reforms to support press freedom, legal safeguards for journalists, and the growing role of ESG reporting in building public trust.

The second panel, “Safeguarding Democracy through Investigative Journalism,” examined how in-depth reporting can reinforce democratic accountability. Laura Chebet-Birir (Standard Media Group) emphasized the power of investigative journalism in exposing corruption and injustice, while Bonifas Odinga (USIU-Africa) highlighted the need for training young journalists to uphold ethical standards in a digital age and Simon Ciuri (Daily Nation) addressed the challenges of handling sensitive investigations.

The event’s theme, “Upholding Media Integrity in a Shifting Media Landscape,” reflected Joe Kadhi’s lifelong commitment to truth and accountability. Participants called for collective action to protect press freedom, rebuild public trust, and equip journalists with the tools to navigate a complex and dynamic media environment. The event concluded with the prestigious Joe Kadhi Awards. Annrita Kariamiti was named the Female Journalist of the Year, while Nicholas Mungai received the Male Journalist of the Year award.

As the media continues to evolve, the commemoration reaffirmed the critical role of ethical journalism in fostering informed societies and safeguarding democracy, ensuring that Joe Kadhi’s legacy continues to inspire generations of media professionals.

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