The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has announced a special journalism grant targeting accredited community media and correspondents working under strenuous circumstances countrywide.

Correspondents and reporters from the counties who have written, published and broadcast stories over the last three months – December 2022 to February 2023 are eligible for the grants.

There will be 200 special grants with varying amounts of up to KShs 20,000 per story and up to a maximum of 10 stories per journalist.

MCK Chief Executive Officer Mr David Omwoyo says the grants are aimed at ensuring high professional standards as journalists grapple with financial challenges in the changing media space.

“December 2022 running into January and February this year have been difficult for media, with some correspondents working without pay. We have found it appropriate to support media workers operating under extreme circumstances to keep them going. Such situations expose journalists to vulnerabilities, which can affect journalistic ethics”, he says.

“The Council has established that the reduced revenues by media outlets have seen them fail to pay workers, with many struggling to meet their statutory and compliance obligations to the government, while several FM stations are unable to deal with technical-related challenges and servicing equipment”.

The grant is among initiatives undertaken by the Council to promote the welfare of journalists by cushioning them from the ensuing economic shocks in media organisations.

Since its inception, the Media Council of Kenya has dispensed reporting grants on health reporting, climate change, governance and legislative process, gender-based violence and health among others.

Potential applicants can obtain details from the Media Council of Kenya website.