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A Kenyan journalist's advocacy saves US community TV from closure
Noel James Okoth reporting for CTV from Baltimore Airport.
What you need to know:
- For over 40 years, CTV has been publicly funded by the local county and has served the local residents.
- Okoth organised a vigorous advocacy campaign to rally community support for Prince George's Community TV.
When Noel James Okoth, 24, began working for Prince George's Community Television in August 2024, he had no idea he would be more than just another new employee.
Okoth had just had stints reporting from studio floors in New York City, scripting breaking political stories in Virginia and being Director of Communications at YKP Connect.
But Prince George Community Television, commonly known as CTV was facing a permanent closure due to budget cuts sweeping across public institutions in the US under the Donald Trump administration’s policy of reducing the size of government and improve efficiency.
Noel James Okoth interviews Monica Robinson.
For over 40 years, CTV has been publicly funded by the local county and has served the local residents, offering local and national news coverage on issues related to the county.
However, last year, the council through the county executive passed a budget proposal that would seek to remove a majority of funding meant to preserve and run CTV. That’s when the community came together and rallied for the support of CTV.
Okoth organised a vigorous advocacy campaign to rally community support and draw the attention of civic leaders.
Okoth's campaign, which included community feedback sessions, press outreach, and rallying station stakeholders, led to the restoration of the station's budget. Reflecting on the experience, Okoth emphasised his belief that local journalism is the “heartbeat of democracy” and a vital “community infrastructure.”
His story ‘CTV Funding Secured with Community Support’ went to show the vigorous advocacy that drew the attention of civic leaders who influenced the restoration of budgets and saved the CTV from permanent closure.
"Journalism to me is not just about content. It is a community infrastructure. I have always believed local journalism is the heartbeat of democracy,” Okoth says reflecting on the threat to the CTV legacy.
Despite his young age, his leadership and strong work ethic have been praised by colleagues. His previous roles include work at ABC 7 New York, where he worked with producer Tracey Washington Bagley on programmes such as 'Here and Now with Sandra Bookman' and 'Operation 7 Save a Life.' Bagley commends his meticulous approach to every assignment.
Noel James Okoth on set at ABC 7 New York.
“He takes every assignment with meticulous care,” said Bagley, his producer at ABC 7 New York.
Looking ahead, Okoth hopes to change newsroom processes in Kenya and create a new breed of journalists who are multilingual, cross-platform, and consequence-driven rather than focused on clicks.
To bring this vision to life, Okoth hopes to launch a studio, which will be a creative incubator and training hub dedicated to uplifting young journalists and equipping them with the tools to tell stories that resonate deeply and disrupt convention.
Noel James Okoth receives the Young Kenyan Achievers Award.
The dream for his studio? To foster a new generation of journalists who are not only skilled but fearless—ready to challenge power, amplify marginalised voices, and redefine what journalism can be.
“We’re not just teaching technique,” Okoth explains. “We’re building courage. Because in Kenya today, asking the right questions can be dangerous. But silence is even more costly.”
His dream is to foster a new generation of fearless journalists who can challenge power, amplify marginalised voices, and redefine journalism.
