SECTOR 1 recognized by the Council, and earns a living from the practice of journalism, or any person who habitually engages in the practice of journalism and is recognised by such by the Council.” Yet on the ground, it is felt that Kenya has left the practice of journalism open to anyone who wishes to join the profession.1 “If a person wants to be a journalist, they apply for a job or just stand up and start writing.” Once in the profession, they must also obtain accreditation from the Media Council of Kenya to be recognised as an accredited member of the press corps. This process is required by law. However this process has been slow since 2008 due to lack of capacity of the Media Council to do the accreditation across the country. The application for accreditation is made by the media house and costs KSh2000 (about US$25) annually. Individual journalists, including freelancers can seek direct accreditation with the Council without waiting for the media houses to apply for them. The media council has also opened accreditation to studentjournalists. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 4.5 (2005 = 5.0, 2007 = 5.0, 2009 = 3.8) 1.7 Confidential sources of information are protected by law and/or the courts. The Media Act of 2007 talks of the need to respect confidential sources of information but in general their protection is not guaranteed. It is commonplace for the police to harass journalists to reveal their sources. “The court does not feel an obligation to help [journalists] protect their sources.” However there is the Witness Protection Act (2006, amended 2010), which is often extended to journalists’ sources of information, but technically only protects people who agree to be state witnesses. 1 The Panellists felt that the requirements are not strictly applied and that in practice journalists could enter into the profession without restrictions. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2012 19