Janet’s soaring journey in journalism unstoppable
By AGGREY OMBOKI
Beneath the smoothly polished exterior that is professional excellence, Janet Nyamwamu’s story continues to bubble with sparkling memories and milestones.
“It has not been an easy road, but I’m still glad I came on the trip,” reminisces the Ndizi TV manager, editor, videographer and producer.
Her love affair with journalism is almost as old as she is. Its heady pull on her life has refused to let go, 14 years down the line.
“I can remember wanting to be a journalist even in high school. I could hardly wait for the opportunity to study for the beloved craft in college. It was a big honour for me to be selected to study at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication,” she says.
Prior to joining Ndizi TV, the feisty and outgoing mother of two has worked at Hope Channel Kenya, Nation Media Group (NMG) and Getembe TV.
She is particularly grateful to her former employer NMG for the invaluable experience in her five years at the largest media house in East and Central Africa.
“Working at NTV was an eye opener. It gave me the experience I am now utilizing to deliver top quality broadcasts and content at Ndizi TV. I thank the then NTV broadcasting head Linus Kaikai for believing in me and taking the initiative to make me part of the NTV team as a reporter in the Gusii region, which encompasses Kisii County, Nyamira County and part of Trans Mara – Narok County. It transformed my career path,” she tells The Woman’s Newsroom.
After Kenya reported the first case of the COVID-19, the country went into a downward social and economic spiral that affected livelihoods and jobs.
The pandemic also negatively affected media houses forcing many, including NMG, to implement painful layoffs and pay cuts for remaining staff. As a result, her contract was not renewed in January 2021.
“I am a COVID-19 casualty. I was laid off as the scourge intensified in the country,” Janet explains.
She, however, wasted no time getting back to the newsroom, landing a job at Getembe TV, where she worked for just six months before moving over to Ndizi TV.
“I have never had a dull day at Ndizi TV. Coming here opened the door to so many blessings. It is a fun and an exciting place to work at,” Janet says.
She is the veteran of many patient hours spent on the road, camera and tripod at hand. At one point, she was the camera person for her church, Kisii Central SDA Church during worship on Saturdays.
Janet is also an accomplished producer, having learnt early in her career to love the sometimes tedious task of editing film footage and producing her own shows.
“My current skill set is not by chance. I have worked long and hard to master the ropes in editing, production and post-production, among other crucial skills. In addition, I am also perfectly at ease while out in the field with my cameras doing assignments,” she says.
As a female editor, Janet is in a rare territory.
Women in top journalism are few. A study of women in leadership positions across 240 major news outlets in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe shows that women make up only 22 percent of top editors.
Additional research by the Reuters Institute shows that none of the top news outlets in Brazil, Germany, or the UK have a top editor, for instance an editor in chief, who is not white. In the US, people of colour account for just 18 percent of top editors.
On February 24, 2022, Janet was one of the 180-plus women selected to join the 2022 Women in News Leadership Accelerator Programme. The intensive nine-month programme seeks to equip women journalists and editors with the skills to lead and transform their organisations.
“I was overjoyed when I received a call that I had made it to the WIN Africa Accelerator 2022 Program. I am eager to learn more about impactful journalism. This is one of the precious opportunities to widen my career scope since my Mum couldn’t afford to continue supporting my career as my other younger siblings also deserved a chance,” she says.
The course aims to empower women journalists with vital skills and experience through practical guidance. Trainees are expected to go through a gruelling nine-month course that will be supervised by their mentors.
“I am determined to shine. I won’t disappoint,” a smiling Janet says. I hope after the program I will be a better journalist. A better, caring and responsible leader who will be remembered for a remarkable presence with a unique brand of excellence. I aim to be remembered as the best for years to come,” she says.
“I’m excited to be taking part in the program and remain sure that it is a life changer for me,” says the journalist.
Her motto remains the Gusii adage, “eanche bwanchwe”, meaning “Love yourself and you will be loved”.
The Accelerator, which focuses on leadership and career development, uses a mix of coaching, training, mentoring networking to enable participants to reach their full potential as they address day to day media industry challenges.
By the time she finishes, Janet expects to come out a more dedicated, focused and refined editor, producer and video journalist.
“We have doubled the number of participants in the programme this year after we received a record number of applications. The 2022 cohort will be equipped with the skills, tools and network they need to make an impact in their newsrooms,” said WIN Africa Director Jane Godia during the virtual launch on February 24, 2022.
Women have been steadily making steps at the workplace courtesy of the initiative that started in Africa 11 years ago. It operates in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Sudan.
Janet also added another feather to her cap when she was admitted to the Kenya Editors Guild, where she also holds the distinction of being the only active member based in the county. She considers this a particularly enjoyable feat.
“Having started my journey from the very bottom of the power structure as a student, growing into an intern and cub reporter, before going into editing and production, I am happy with the progress I have made so far. I still intend to keep reaching for greater heights,” she says.
As a journalist, a mother and a self-declared lover of life and all things beautiful, Janet enjoys spending time with her two daughters Lauren and Lindsey.
“I can’t imagine a day without these two lovely girls. They are my reason to keep on. In fact, I miss them dearly when they are away at school. They are my beloved children, my friends, my motivation and support system,” says the proud mum.
Shaped and refined by the many challenges of raising her daughters while chasing a busy media schedule, Janet has learnt to appreciate the good times with the bad, as well as which people can be trusted.
“My career journey has not been easy. I have come to understand that the road to success is not a stroll in the park. I have slept hungry, trekked long distances, begged for assistance, knocked on doors, and seen some doors shut on my face,” says the TV boss and unionist, adding that the whole experience has not made her bitter.
“I am glad I survived the storm though I know it’s not yet over, and thank God for everything so far. My parents, particularly my mum Fridah Kemunto and my siblings have been awesome every step of the way,” says Janet.
She remains conscious of her close ties to the community that emboldened and nurtured her journalistic dream to fruition.
“I appreciate all my media colleagues, news sources at national and county government officials, the security organs and the community where I come from for being media friendly. My work wouldn’t have an impact or be widely recognized without them,” she says.
Janet is also passionate about improving the welfare of her lot and is the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Gusii chapter chairperson.
Her heartfelt appeal to media houses is for management to give each employee an opportunity to speak freely.
“As the KUJ Gusii chapter chair, my advice to media outlets is to give everyone an equal opportunity to be heard. Regulations governing journalists’ welfare must be just and fair, from having a standard payment band for journalists to ensuring they are promptly paid,” says Janet.
Janet feels it is time media houses adjusted newsrooms to address stress and mental health issues.
“Media should also invest in a better and more conducive working environment for all staff. Make the newsroom a healthy environment to avoid cases of workers getting mental illness and depression. Give them leave and off days to get adequate rest,” she says.
Janet adds that media houses cannot hope to deliver quality content if they practice half-baked journalism.
“Journalism must be fair, credible and above reproach. It is our vibrant, unsullied and people-centred journalism that maintains our democracy. Principled and objective journalism is a force for progressive social change. I believe good journalism can transform a community and make the world a better place,” says Janet.
It is Janet’s belief that editors should not transform the newsroom into fiefdoms or one-person shows.
“Teamwork is vital in any organization. As a leader, share your expertise, mentor people and empower them. Someone else will be in your place tomorrow. Who can do it better than the one you mentored? Always strive to leave a great legacy,” she says.
She is a firm believer in a robust mentorship structure for the young journalists coming into the arena.
“To the young as well as established journalists, my advice is, don’t do journalism merely to gain fame and popularity. It is your job to seek the truth and put constant pressure on our leaders until something is done. Keep the leaders and State officials in check,” says the veteran scribe.
