On 2nd July, 2025, the Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN), in collaboration with Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), convened a roundtable discussion with journalists and civil society organizations to promote responsible and inclusive reporting on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The session aimed to address the prevalence of misinformation and sensationalism in media coverage and to strengthen collaboration between media practitioners and civil society advocates.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Mercy Njoroge of JHR emphasized the indispensable role of the media in shaping public understanding of SRHR, stating, “We cannot achieve the goals we have in SRHR without working with each other…Our goal is to ensure that the media can play its role to the maximum of its capacity, and that is informing.” Ms. Elsie Milimu, Program Officer at KELIN, added, “Even as we frame issues for journalists, we must connect to broader issues of human rights, healthcare, reform, and justice.”
The roundtable examined media coverage on a recent report by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) on abortion and access to SRHR services in Kenya. Participants noted that while some media outlets amplified the findings constructively, others sensationalized the data, using stigmatizing headlines like “abortion shocker” or “married women biggest ‘culprits.’” Discussions underscored the uneven quality of SRHR coverage, which was attributed to limited journalist training and inconsistent civil society outreach, as well as the influence of media house sponsorship on editorial choices. Participants called for greater inclusion of affected communities in media narratives and urged deliberate engagement with well-positioned reporters before and after the release of SRHR research or statements.
KELIN also facilitated a discussion on the legal foundations of SRHR, focusing on principles of bodily autonomy, bodily integrity, and violations of human rights law. This session addressed the challenges journalists face in reporting on issues that face significant pushback such as safe and legal abortion which is perceived to contradict powerful voices, such as religious leaders and policymakers. The participants recognized that the media has power to shape public discourse, including transforming negative attitudes and positively influencing decision-makers.
Participants also engaged in a practical exercise to identify and reframe sensationalist narratives in SRHR reporting. Groups reviewed samples from radio, TV, and print media and proposed strategies to present accurate, rights-based coverage. In closing, participants committed to ongoing collaboration and intentional outreach between journalists and civil society organizations. They reaffirmed the shared responsibility of using media as a tool to improve SRHR awareness across both urban and rural communities, anchored in the values of both accuracy and justice.
KELIN remains committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health rights for all and is keen to advance inclusive and responsible reporting on these matters by building the capacity of journalists in Kenya.
Siona Sharma
Legal Fellow
To contribute to the discussion, follow KELIN on our social media platforms.
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Website: www.kelinkenya.org
