Journalists from the Coast region have benefited from training on digital safety as they increasingly rely on online platforms in their day-to-day work.
The training organised by Mombasa Press Club (MPC) and the Paradigm Initiative also brought together other participants from Kwale and Kilifi Press Clubs, who were taken through issues of safety, policies governing the digital space, and the importance of digital rights and inclusion in journalism practice.
The two-day workshop, held in Mombasa, targeted journalists navigating the shift from traditional journalism to digital platforms.
Paradigm Initiative’s East Africa Programs Officer, Miriam Beatrice Wanjiru, said the initiative aims to equip journalists with a deeper understanding of the digital space as it rapidly expands.
“We understand we have such laws as the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act 2018, which is undergoing amendment. However, such laws have been misused by the government to silence journalists, rights defenders, and dissenting voices, while the courts remain silent,” Ms. Wanjiru said.
She emphasized that press freedom should not be compromised, particularly at a time when both national and county governments face accountability questions best exposed by grassroots journalists.
[Paradigm Initiative’s East Africa Programs Officer, Miriam Beatrice Wanjiru, during the Digital safety training conducted in South Coast. Photo/courtesy/MPC/August, 20, 2025].
“These retrogressive policies should be challenged by journalists, rights defenders, and the judiciary. This will only happen if journalists are well equipped, fully understand the ever-evolving digital space, and know their rights,” she added.
Ms. Wanjiru further noted that Paradigm Initiative will continue collaborating with journalists across Kenya and globally to ensure digital sensitisation reaches grassroots and community-based reporters.
Mombasa Press Club Chairperson, Omar Abdallah, welcomed the training, describing it as timely and impactful.
“This training has equipped our members with the necessary skills and knowledge on digital safety and advocating for digital rights. Many journalists have fallen victim to hacking and online threats, so continuous capacity-building is critical,” he said.
[Mombasa Press Club Chairperson Omar Abdallah during the digital safety training conducted in Mombasa. He has termed the training as timely and impactful Photo/MPC/August, 20, 2025].
The Media Council of Kenya has recognised the Mombasa Press Club as one of the most progressive and active press clubs in the country.
