The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) has sent out an urgent letter of protest to the nation’s swimming federation regarding an unacceptable accreditation and access fee for the upcoming National Swimming trials.
A daily charge of Ksh.300 or Ksh.1000 for the four-day media accreditation and access pass (the equivalent of 3 USD and 10 USD respectively) is seen as a direct violation of journalists’ rights and free access to sources.
The average salary in Kenya is equal to 300 USD – 500 USD, while a journalist working as a freelancer is paid between 5 USD and 10 USD per article.
Below is the full letter addressed to the Kenya Swimming Federation from SJAK president Chris Mbaisi:
We are disappointed to learn that the Kenya Swimming Federation plans to charge the media Ksh.1000 access fee to cover the Kenya National Swimming trials on June 2-4 at Aquatic Centre, Nairobi.
We are concerned that the planned ‘Media/Photographer accreditation, which will attract a charge of or Ksh.1000 for a four-day pass, is a way to force the media to pay to cover an event that they have over the years had unrestricted access to.
This is totally unacceptable and a clear restriction of trade for Sports Journalists in Kenya and any other journalist planning cover this event.
Sports journalists world over have always have access to the largest sporting events from the Olympics, World Cup and even the FINA world championships for FREE as it is our duty to inform and give the public the day-to day updates during major sports event.
The media promotes and publicises the Kenya Swimming Federation and its affiliates’ events throughout the season by writing and filing reports on all platforms including electronic, digital and print media. Even before this ‘high profile’ trials’ we shall provide coverage in terms of previews. Can you imagine if you had to pay for this coverage packaged as supplements, advertisements or media promotions?
It is therefore disheartening that the KSF would wish to charge the media for profit or to defray costs for a four-day event.
Also worrying is unspecified reasonable restrictions to be provided
at accreditation. Can you elaborate further on the planned restrictions?
We hope that you can rescind and abolish these unwarranted charges as soon as possible, otherwise, we have advised sports journalists to avoid paying this by simply not covering the event.
Looking forward to your urgent and reasonable response.
Yours Sincerely,
Chris Mbaisi,
AIPS