Six TV stations under siege after coverage of Monday mass action.
Six TV stations under siege; According to the communication authority of Kenya( CAK), the stations were found to have covered the demonstrations in a way that violated the programming code.
Director General Ezra Chiloba further outlined strict instructions that are to be adhered to, if the stations are to cover another incident of a mass action.
CAK stated,”The Authority has established that at least Six TV stations, namely, Citizen TV, NTV, K24, KBC, TV47 and Ebru TV provided coverage in a manner that violated the programming code.”
“The coverage depicted scenes that could cause panic or incitement to the public, threatening peace and cohesion in the country,”they added.
The communication watchdog highlighted that the TV stations should avoid covering inciting scenes in the names of media freedom.
CAK stated,”While the Authority promotes freedom of the press, it is imperative that all broadcasters exercise caution in live broadcast coverage in order to avoid scenes that would be detrimental to peace and cohesion.”
They further warned that incase they do not adhere to the above rules, then they are at a risk of shutdown.
CAK stated,”Failure to adhere to the outlined obligations shall be acting in breach of licence conditions, which shall attract liability under relevant provisions of the law, including revocation of broadcast licence and/or broadcast frequencies.”
This reminds us of 2018, when Raila swore himself in with the help of Miguna Miguna. Then Interior cabinet secretary, Fred Matiang’i stated that they breached the constitution and therefore had to be shutdown.
Matiang’i stated then,” a result of what happened yesterday, we have commenced investigations targeting individuals. Media houses will remain closed, Until we complete our investigations.”
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