Each week, frayintermedia highlights a journalist doing good work on the continent and honours them as our #FaveOfTheWeek. Meet award-winning Kenyan broadcast journalist and storyteller Mashirima Kapombe who is passionate about telling empowering stories.
Q: How did you become a journalist?
A: I started in university, where I was working at the student radio station. Then after that, I moved on to mainstream media, starting with the state broadcaster, KBC, as an intern. Then I moved on up to where I am at Citizen TV.
Q: What does winning the Violence Against Women & Girls 2021 African Journalists Gender Equality award mean to you?
A: It means a lot, it means that I have to keep doing more. To ensure that the rights of women and girls are protected, that they have the information on what they need to do when they get into trouble or when they're hurt, where they can go and how to get the help that they need.
You know, we say that you're only as good as your last story, so this award means I have to keep doing more stories that tell the plight of women and girls. It has even challenged me to go a bit further to also think about the abuse that even men go through, that I should tell their stories and have them also be able to access the services that they need.
Q: What draws you to tell stories about women and social injustice?
A: Empathy. I am the kind of person who is always saddened when listening to stories of women who are going through really hard times and they have no support or somewhere to go. It makes me think of myself, I have a lot of support from my family and friends, and I always know that I will get support no matter what. But at the same time, I am empowered enough to know that I can also strive to do the best that I can given whatever circumstances and be able to live and be able to make a living.
But there are so many other women who do not have that privilege. It makes me feel responsible for them and that they too need to have the same things that I have. They need to have the same support. They may not have a supportive family, but there are organisations where they can get the help that they need. They can get the support that they need, where they can also meet other women who will share their experiences and give them hope that life will get better. But also to help them also build a network where they can get support at any time they need.
Q: What makes an exceptional journalist?
A: An exceptional journalist is one who has a nose for news, you know, where there's a need, you know where there are voices that have not been heard. And you know that it is your duty to tell their stories. You know that they cannot reach the authorities –but you can – so you use your space as a journalist. Whether in broadcast, online media or print media. You use that space to get their voices to the authorities. That's what I would say makes an exceptional journalist. Your work is to tell the story of the person who cannot tell it themselves.
Q: Despite the challenges, why do you continue to be a journalist?
A: Because there are so many stories to be told, there's so much that needs to be done. If we don't tell those stories, then we will not see the change that we need to see. We will not see policy and action from government authorities, non-governmental authorities and community based organisations. So I love being a journalist and I guess it's the thing that I'll do to my grave.
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