KENYA ONLINE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION

THE KOJA - STRATEGIC PLAN 2007-2011

2006-11-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

THE KOJA - STRATEGIC PLAN 2007-2011.

The KOJA Strategic Plan 2007-2010 outlines the key programme areas. This plan, apart from being the main fulcrum of strategic guidance and future direction, will give KOJA the much anticipated impetus, optimism and commitment to meeting the future challenges of governance and development through the media in Kenya. It also serves as our template of development within a growing, dynamic and difficult competitive environment. The Plan is currently under review to respond to new challenges. The new Plan will cover the period 2007-2011.The salient KOJA programmatic areas are outlined in the Strategic Plan (2007-2011) as follows:

CAPACITY BUILDING FOR ONLINE MEDIA ;

Objectives;

• To promote decision making among membership

• To improve quality service delivery to readers/communities.

• To raise awareness among Journalists of their journalistic duties, and

• To mainstream journalistic participation in online Journalism and ICTs development.
Activities

• Training of Trainers (ToT)

• Development of education sessions for Online and ICTs Journalists

• Identification of suitable training institutions and resource persons

• Putting in place structures and systems for community and civil society participation in Media governance, and

• Resource mobilizations.

GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRATISATION

Objectives

• To establish and enforce minimum integrity and accountability standards among its membership

• To seek and promote innovative community participation mechanisms

• To lobby public and private sectors to effectively participate in media development

• Promote consultative forums for research and development with government, civil society and private sector

• To promote joint action planning and committees for enhancement of online Journalism and ICT for Development (ICT4D).

Activities;

• Develop and promote integrity systems in the Media

• Review of Government legislation which impact on Media and peoples participation

• Initiate policy research in priority areas

• Develop a Journalistic participation strategy, and

• Implement service delivery surveys in all local online media organizations.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION;

Objectives;

• To improve the commitment and create interest among members and stakeholders

• To improve accountability to members

• To develop and implement appropriate communication and reporting systems

• To strengthen the content and circulation of KOJA Alpha Newsletter, and

• To encourage members to acquire and install modern electronic communication systems.

Activities ;

• Encouraging members to be on e-mail/ internet

• Reviewing and operationalising the KOJA structures

• Develop a strategy to poll members and civil society

• Establish a Public Relations Office to enhance relations with civil society and private/ public sectors

• Regular production and dissemination of KOJA Alpha Newsletter
• Develop a media strategy, and

• Participate effectively in regional media and ICTs networks.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OD)

Objectives

• To develop capacity to respond to stakeholder demands through improved office management, administration and communication systems, and

• To develop and install financial management, accounting and budgeting systems and procedures.

Activities;

• Development of clear office procedures
• Development of an accounting manual
• Development of a stakeholder database
• Training staff in office management, accounting, reporting, and customer care, and
• Identify and deploy appropriate technical assistance in systems formulation, installation and training.

DEVELOPMENT INNOVATIONS;

Objectives;

In the plan period, KOJA will evolve and promote innovative projects and approaches to address emerging challenges for effective human development in various areas.

Activities
HIV/AIDS

• Conduct an HIV/ AIDS situation analysis
• Hold awareness campaigns
Poverty
• Conduct poverty baseline surveys
• Develop appropriate intervention mechanisms
• Create coalitions to fight poverty
• Mobilize donor support, and
• Collect and encourage replication of best practices in housing for the urban poor.
Gender
• Conduct a gender situation analysis
• Develop a gender mainstreaming action plan
Local Economic Development
• Carry out a baseline survey of available resources in each Media Organization.
• Develop interventions that are in line with available resources

KOJA MAIN FOCUS ;

1. Networking:

The KOJA will have to be active and visible at the national level where it has taken deliberate steps to liaise and collaborate with various governmental and non-governmental counterparts and forums. These stakeholders include, in particular, The Kenya Union Of Journalists , Media Owners Associations, The Kenya Media Advisory Board , the National Assembly, relevant Ministries , Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC),Journalism Training Institutions such as the Kenya Institute of Mass Media , Government Training Institute (GTI), the Kenya Institute of Administration (KIA) and Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), the Kenya Alliance of Residents’ Associations (KARA), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and research institutions working in the field of Good Governance such The Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR), The Centre for Law and Research International (CLARION), The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Transparency International (TI), The Centre for Conflict Research (CCR), Peace and Development Network (Peacenet), etc., and the media including the major media houses in print and Electronic media.On the international level, KOJA will be one of the driving forces towards the establishment of the East African Online Journalists Association (EAOJA) as an umbrella body with Its mandate to represent the interests of online Journalists within the East African Community and lobby for a strengthened role and recognition of the online Journalism in the region. KOJA will work closely with the Commonwealth Journalists Association CJA, International Institute for ICT- Journalism in Ghana, Penplusbytes, Online News Association, and International Federation of Journalists and other media associations globally.

4. Partnerships:

KOJA will be engaged in programmatic as well as long-term structural collaboration with various donors and grant management bodies. KOJA cooperation with partners is guided by KOJA’s strategic plan 2006-2011 that provides the association’s strategic Programme areas. Emerging Challenges: KOJA has established itself on the scene of public affairs and indeed as a mouthpiece of ICT and online Journalists in Kenya. The immediate challenges facing KOJA are:- Effective participation in the constitutional reforms.- Capacity development for the online Journalists.- Ensuring effective and efficient networking.- Financial viability and sustainability of KOJA.- Decentralization of KOJA to further strengthen KOJA’s outreach and communication with its members.- Effective participation in the amendment of Kenya Media Laws.

KOJA CONSTITUTION

2006-11-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

PREAMBLE

Whereas Kenyans have long desired the freedom of the media, democratic and vibrant media that are constitutionally protected and provided for; Whereas we, the members of the Kenya online Journalists Association -KOJA:

- Are committed to the creation of a vibrant , sustainable and democratic online media that is constitutionally protected;

- Have taken seriously the challenge to peacefully strive for this ideal;

- Are determined to unite in order to succeed in this endeavour;

- Desire to promote this ideal among Kenyan journalists and other peoples of all races, colours, creeds, and gender; Now therefore, we the Kenya Online Journalists Association- KOJA accept and adopt this Constitution as the fundamental law of the Association.

Article 1:

Description of documentThis Constitution is the Constitution of the Kenya Online Journalists Association , hereinafter referred to as KOJA.

Article 2:

Description of KOJA (1) KOJA is a voluntary membership organization consisting of the following members:

(a) Full members, who shall be drawn from media organizations as legally recognized by the law;
(b) Associate members, who shall comprise all those institutions, associations and organizations that are involved in Media

(2) Provided that the decision to admit associate members shall be made by the Governing Council and ratified by the Annual General Meeting as hereinafter established under Article 4.

(a) Any institution, association or organization desirous of being a member of KOJA shall make a written application in which a detailed description of its vision, mission and objectives shall be spelt out.

(b) This application shall be forwarded to the Operations, Relationships and Public Affairs Committee as established under Article 4.

(c) The Operations, Relationships and Public Affairs Committee shall scrutinize each application and make the necessary recommendations to the Governing Council on the suitability or otherwise of each applicant.

(d) The Governing Council retains the discretion to admit or otherwise any application for membership. Provided that this Sub-Article will not apply to any local authority wishing to join KOJA whose membership will be automatic upon fulfilling any requirements laid down by the Governing Council.

(3) Except where otherwise expressly provided for, all members of KOJA shall have equal rights, obligations and liabilities.

Article 3: Mandate of KOJA

KOJA shall undertake all peaceful activities leading to the establishment, functioning, sustenance and enhancement of viable, sustainable and democratic online Journalism but not limited to activities related to:

(1) Promotion, enhancement, articulation and advocacy; (2) Defence; (3) Monitoring; (4) Lobbying; and (5) Mobilization.

Article 4: Organs of KOJA

Subject to Article (5) hereof, the organs of KOJA shall be ;

(1) The Annual General Meeting; (2) The Governing Council;

(3) The Committees namely: the Provincial Committee; the Finance Committee; the Management Committee; the Operations, Relationships and Public Affairs Committee

(4) The Secretariat, which shall be headed by the Secretary-General.

Article 5: Powers of the Governing Council to form other organs;

Subject to ratification by the Annual General Meeting, nothing in the foregoing provisions shall prohibit the Governing Council from forming such organs of KOJA as may be expedient for the achievement of the mandate of KOJA.

Article 6: Mandate of the Annual General Meeting ;

The Annual General Meeting shall:

(1) Be the supreme organ of KOJA and have powers to deliberate on all matters pertaining to KOJA;

(2) Adopt, repeal or amend the Constitution of KOJA;

(3) Ratify the names of officials elected to the Governing Council;

(4) Recall members of the Governing Council where their performance is deemed unsatisfactory;

(5) Receive and deliberate on reports from the members and organs of ALGAK as presented by the Governing Council including but not limited to the financial and audit reports, the Committee reports and the independent evaluation reports; and

(6) Adopt or reject such resolutions as may be presented for ratification by the Governing Council.

Article 8: Modalities of holding the Annual General Meeting;

1) The Annual General Meeting shall be held within 12 months of the previous Annual General Meeting.

2) The Annual General Meeting shall be convened by the Governing Council of KOJA, which shall give a 21-day notice and disclose its agenda.

3) A Special General Meeting, in which shall be vested the same mandate as the Annual General Meeting, shall be convened by the Governing Council on its own motion or at the request in writing of one-third of the members of KOJA after giving a 14-day notice and disclosing its agenda.

4) In the event that the Governing Council fails, refuses or neglects to convene an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting as required, the members of Secretary- General shall convene them and where this fails, at least one-third of the KOJA can convene an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting after fulfilling the same requirements on notice and disclosure of the agenda.

Article 9: Quorums at the Annual General Meeting;

(1) Subject to Sub-Article(2) of this Article and Article 22 (5) hereof no business shall be transacted at any Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting unless there are present at least half of the members of KOJA.

(2) The adoption, repeal or amendment of the Constitution of KOJA shall not be valid unless with the support of at least two-thirds of the members of KOJA.

Article 10: Composition of the Governing Council;

The Governing Council shall:

(1) Consist of 25 persons, at least 8 of whom shall be women, elected by the members .

(2) Be elected in the following manner: (a) Seven persons each, at least two of who shall be women, drawn from the following Media categories , that is: Print, Broadcast, Prodcast and

(3) The Secretary-General shall be an ex-officio member of the Governing Council and will be charged with proper recording of the proceedings.

Article 11: Election into the Governing Council, office-bearers, discipline and removal;

1) The election of members of the Governing Council and the Management Committee of KOJA shall be conducted by the Secretariat every two years.

2) While discharging this function, the secretariat can appoint any impartial and reputable organization to conduct the elections.

3) Anyone seeking election as a member of the Governing Council of KOJA shall:
(a) Be a Kenyan citizen; (b) Be a member of KOJA; (c) and be sufficiently literate.

4) The Chair, First Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair and Honorary Treasurer shall be popularly elected through secret ballot by members at the Annual General Meeting from among the 25 persons elected to the Governing Council.

5) The Chair shall be the ceremonial head of KOJA and shall, inter-alia, undertake to articulate KOJA policies and network locally and internationally advising the Secretariat accordingly.

6) The Chair shall serve for a maximum period of two terms each five years.

7) (a) In cases where a member of the Governing Council is to be disciplined or dismissed, any 13 members of the Governing Council shall call a meeting to do so; giving a 14-day notice provided the petitioners represent the different categories of KOJA membership.

(b) Any decision to discipline or dismiss a member of the Governing Council can only be reached by at least two-thirds of the members of the Governing Council.

(c) Any decision to discipline or dismiss a member of the Governing Council shall be ratified by the Annual General Meeting/Special General Meeting.

Article 12: Mandate of the Governing Council