Kenyan Journalists Advised to Strengthen IP Protection, Mental Health, and AI Ethics Amid Digital Shift

MOMBASA, Kenya — As the media industry rapidly embraces digital transformation, journalists and content creators face pressing challenges that require a comprehensive approach to intellectual property (IP) rights, mental health, and the ethical deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

These issues were at the forefront of discussions during the Hadithi za Wanahabari training session held at Baraza Media Lab in partnership with MMS Advocates. The workshop brought together media practitioners to explore the legal, psychological, and technological shifts reshaping journalism today.

Lilian Makanga, an intellectual property expert, underscored that IP extends beyond legal protection; it is a crucial driver of economic sustainability and employment. She explained, “An idea in the mind can become tangible property to own, sell, or license. To bridge the gap between creators and legal protections.”

Makanga stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between grassroots organizations and government agencies to democratize access to legal knowledge. While the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) maintains an active online presence, she called on institutions like the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) to enhance their digital engagement to better serve tech-savvy creators.

Highlighting the broader economic impact, Makanga noted that a vibrant creative sector supports extensive supply chains, benefiting professionals ranging from sound technicians to hospitality vendors. She challenged journalists to leverage their platforms to amplify narratives about the creative economy, thereby helping the public appreciate the tangible value of IP rights.

The Hadithi za Wanahabari initiative was designed to address systemic vulnerabilities confronting Kenyan media professionals. Rajab Salim of Baraza Media Lab observed that the industry is at a critical juncture concerning legal protections and emotional burnout.

“There has been a growing need for journalists to understand where their rights begin and end to avoid legal trouble,” Salim said.

He also highlighted a pervasive mental health blind spot within the sector. Journalists often endure long hours covering stressful or traumatic events, yet their psychological well-being is frequently overlooked.

In response, Baraza Media Lab has launched the Civic Canvas initiative, which aims to provide grassroots civic education ahead of Kenya’s upcoming election cycle. This program seeks to combat misinformation and promote social cohesion by helping citizens connect the power of their vote to everyday life.

The integration of AI in newsrooms presents both opportunities and risks. Legal expert Felicia Solomon described AI tools as powerful equalizers, especially for independent journalists lacking large editorial teams. AI can refine raw ideas and serve as an affordable, automated copy editor.

“However, excessive dependence on AI-generated content exposes journalists to plagiarism, IP disputes, and algorithmic misinformation,” Solomon cautioned.

She issued a stark warning about the election period, noting that AI-generated deepfakes, manipulated images, and fabricated polling data threaten democratic stability. Unchecked, these technologies can mislead voters, amplify hate speech, and incite violence.

Solomon emphasized that human verification remains indispensable. Journalists cannot simply publish AI-generated content without rigorous fact-checking.

The Mombasa training underscored that modern journalists must evolve beyond passive reporting. To thrive in a technology-driven era, media practitioners need to become legally literate, technologically responsible, and mentally resilient stewards of public truth.