By Ohaga Ohaga More by this AuthorIn the past few months, we have seen leading media houses in Kenya cut salaries and lay off staff, citing dwindling revenue as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. What is of concern is that even though media houses have been listed by the government as providers of essential services, and invariably lauded by the authorities, their financial welfare hasn’t been addressed. There are a number of countries where, in recognising the vital need for quality media coverage during the pandemic, government has has factored in the sector while implementing economic stimulus measures. Lay-offs and staff retrenchments in media houses didn’t start with Covid-19. What’s more, the government has been painfully slow at paying media houses for advertising services rendered, the bills accumulated over the years currently standing at about Sh2.5 billion.

Source: Daily Nation July 07, 2020 06:22 UTC