We Condemn The Communication Authority of Kenya’s Attempts To Censor Kenyan Media

Communication Authority of Kenya’s (CAK) statement chastising some Kenyan media live coverage of the March 20 Azimio la Umoja-led protests infringed upon the freedom of the press and served as a thinly veiled state-sponsored media censorship.

In the letter dated March 22, CAK’s Director General, Ezra Chiloba, alleged, without providing any evidence, that Citizen TV, K24, KBC, Ebru TV, KBC, and NTV breached the Constitution and the broadcaster’s programming code.

According to CAK, the stations’ coverage of the protests served to glorify violence and perpetuate hatred. Chiloba’s letter further claims the coverage caused fear and panic in the country.

It’s unclear how CAK arrived at such a biased conclusion regarding the coverage of most Kenyan media. Still, by publicly denouncing the press, CAK is picking sides in the conflict, putting a target on journalists’ backs, and giving license to rogue police officers and partisan thugs to attack media personnel.

CAK warned the broadcasters that failure to adhere to the regulations would see the media companies’ licenses revoked or their frequencies taken away.

The Katiba Institute has condemned the Communication Authority (CA)’s threats to revoke the licenses of six TV stations over their live coverage of Azimio's protests.https://t.co/ihGVPNAMb4
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— Africana Voice (Formerly Hotseatnews) (@AfricanaVoice) March 23, 2023

Kenyans and anyone who saw what happened on Monday during the protests will quickly point out the blatant lies in the Authority’s letter. The media coverage of the demonstrations did not promote violence or cause panic. If anything, it highlighted the high degree of unprofessionalism by the Kenyan police.

Several incidents captured on TV cameras and smartphones showed police harassing, injuring, and shooting at peaceful protesters and taxi operators. It is sad that instead of the CAK lauding the media for highlighting blatant violations of the Constitution, it criticizes and vilifies them for doing the noble work of informing the public.

It’s noteworthy that CAK’s threats come when the opposition plans to hold weekly demonstrations against the government to pressure to lower the cost of living, among other things. While we maintain a neutral position regarding the merits of the protests, we believe it’s the media’s job to cover all matters of national interest.

Why is the Authority gagging the media?

Chiloba should be reminded that Kenya is a nation governed by the law that provides for the rights and freedom of the press and the people, including the right to information and freedom of the media.

The Constitution also gives Kenyans the right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate, and picket. It is not a favor but a right to be enjoyed by all Kenyans, including journalists. All these are rights and liberties that our country’s ancestors fought for.

Evil thrives in darkness. Should CAK make good its threat to shut down the TV stations, trigger-happy police officers will have a field day arresting, beating, and even killing many Kenyans, as they will be free of the watchful eye of the camera.

Gagging and shutting TV stations will be the biggest mistake the CAK will ever make in Kenya because CAK will cease being a regulatory body and become an enabler to panic, mayhem, and lawlessness.

National demonstrations are a matter of public interest, and the media’s responsibility is to cover the events factually, without fear or favor as they unfold.

But should CAK succeed in gagging the media, they will be responsible for any acts of violence against Kenyans by the hand of the police or thugs who take advantage of the situation.

There is a saving grace for Kenya— the digital era that comes with social media will rescue Kenyans and the nation. Some things cannot stay hidden forever.

We’re calling all Kenyan media organizations, including Kenya Union of Journalist (KUJ), Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) and international journalism organizations to join in condemning Chiloba and CAK.

Chiloba should retract the letter, get out of the way of press freedom and let the media do its job.