Why it is hard to sympathise with the media

As a journalist, it is very easy to be swallowed into the bandwagon calling for actions to amend the Kenya Communications Act, which the media hoped it would not be signed.

But most of us shouting from the top of our heads do not even know much about the history of the process. It has been a long process since 1998 when the Kenya Communications Act came into force. The ICT policy was published in 2006 and since then the amendment

Another journalist takes on the media's reaction to the Media Bill. Read more.  

Kibaki signs the “Media” bill, Media continues to play war

I've just tried to watch the 9pm news tonight and mostly failed, the first twenty minutes went to the media bill, choreographed a little with an interview type session within the news talking about how draconian and evil the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill, now Act, 2008 is.

The interviewee has been pitched as someone close to President Kibaki or to the Government. He begins by saying that the lengthy statement issued by Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua in today's dailies was a waste of public funds.

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A journo's take on the media bill

This media bill.... has anyone read it anyway or as usual, are we just commenting on things we know very little about? I am beggining to think it isn't such a big deal anymore....don't get me wrong, I think if the media was really 'gagged', we would be in big trouble, and me being a journo, it wouldn't be good for me, so a gagging is the last thing I want. But for me, this is no longer about the media bill.... there is much more to this..... Yesterday, I attempted to go through some literature on the bill. I still haven't seen the amendment bill, but I think from what I have gathered, I have a good idea on what is going on. Allow me to dissect, and please feel free to contribute.

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New Communications Law; from Government Spokesman

The Government of Kenya's Communication Office has put out in yesterday's (Sunday) papers paid advertisements in which it aims to dispel the fears raised against the so called Media Bill, recently signed into law by the President.

We republish that paid advert here (for free) noting that it has been available on Dr. Mutua's website for a while now, the date on the website is 19th December. Kenyans would likely have been less surprised by the presidential assent if they had read this opinion then. 

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Essential Reading: Kenya Communications Amendment Bill

There has been an uproar over government plans to change the media industry through the Kenya Communications Amendment Bill. Find out what the furore is about.

Read the bill here.

Click here to for reaction to "Government proposes draconian law for regulating media content." 

Silent Protest for Media Freedom

Rebecca Wanjiru writes on a demonstration that will be carried out by the Kenyan media. Published is an email from Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo on the proposed media bill.

There I said it, sources. That is what the whole problem is about is it
not? The bill insists that I would have to reveal the source of my information
above. There is nothing wrong with that except that it is very ambiguous and can
easily be misused.

Read more here.

SOS: Stifling Media Bill

Richard Mbuthia opines on the passing of the controversial Media Bill in Kenya.

The whole of the Bill seems pretty dark but certain clauses in it come out nakedly in attack of our fundamental freedoms. A clause in the Media Bill forces journalists to divulge their source of information in the event that their stories ‘stir a court case'.

Read more here.