US-Based Kenyan Media Practitioners Create Association

By Diaspora Mashinani Media,

Kenyan media professionals based in the United States of America have joined to form a strategic partnership.  The creation of the joint consortium is a move that is focused on providing a platform for all Kenyan media outlets in the US to meet and freely share ideas and experiences.

The consortium is also a means of regulating Kenyan media platforms in the diaspora, with a focus on the US. The Kenyan Media Consortium’s goal is also to create value and share information and pool resources among its members based in the Pacific North West and indeed across the entire USA.

The consortium is tasked with among other responsibilities, a key mandate to regulate, expand and efficiently develop a credible media space while monitoring media operations for the Kenyan media players operating in the US. It was also created to assist the Kenyan consular office and to a larger extent, the Kenyan government to conduct surveys and sensitization programmes as may be necessary.

Consular General calls on moderation

The Los Angeles Kenyan Consul-General, Ambassador Thomas Kwaka Omollo, popularly known as Big Ted, has been the glue in the works as the Media Consortium advisor and mentor. Big Ted has held numerous meetings with media practitioners in the US with an aim to develop a properly recognized professional network of Kenyan media operators in the American Diaspora.

In his interactions with the media outlets, Ambassador Kwaka has continually pledged government commitment to support Kenyans practicing in the media space in America. He has also consistently called for media practitioners to remain united, documented, and professional as they conduct their duties.

Election of office bearers

Kenyan Journalists and Media practitioners in the US voted office bearers to represent the consortium in their affairs. The office bearers elected were as follows:

Legal Identity

Members of the consortium resolved to seek recognition and legal identity through having a duly registered organization. It was based on this understanding that the consortium was established.

The consortium has also sought accreditation and inclusion of its members in all Kenyan government events taking place in the US. The consortium is working closely with the Kenyan government in the US through organizing training workshops for its members. The government has also guaranteed the consortium of its members’ inclusion as resource persons in upcoming seminars.

Consortium Guiding Principles

The management of the Kenyan Media Consortium in the US came up with a raft of guiding principles that determine the criteria for registration of potential members. In his remarks, the Consortium President Tony Chirah, urged its bonafide members to ensure that the registration criteria safeguard professionalism and productivity in its composition. The Consortium membership agreed that the criteria for membership should be based on several crucial aspects. Some of these guiding principles include;

1. All prospective members are required to apply (in writing) to join the Consortium
2. All applications for membership received will be vetted by the Executive Committee led by the Consortium President
3. Upon approval of the application, the new member is required to submit a $100 registration fee to the Consortium Treasurer for onward banking into the Consortium account
4. The prospective member should have a previous proven record of working in the media space (print/broadcast/social media etc.) for more than six (6) months
5. The prospective member should be an individual of moral standing with NO questionable or controversial background/history
6. The prospective member must be ready and willing to work in harmony as a team player with fellow colleagues
7. The prospective member must be ready to comply with the set rules and regulations of the Consortium
8. The prospective member must be based and operating in the United States of America (USA)
9. The prospective member must demonstrate commitment, sacrifice and honesty in the discharge of his/her mandate

For further information or for any prospective members wishing to join the consortium please contact info.pnwc@gmail.com or reach the Consortium Secretary on +1 206 566 4676.