State has to respect freedom of media

Journalists protest in Kisumu on November 7, 2013 against MPs' vote to pass into law the Information and Communication Amendment Bill, which they believe will be a threat to press freedom. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Kenya finds itself in a not-so-savoury spot following the latest report by Reporters Without Borders lobby, which ranked the country at number 96 on media freedom.
  • We commit to professional standards, enshrined in our code of conduct and underpinned by fidelity to accuracy and verification.
  • It is a prerequisite of free media that journalists be allowed to operate without undue influence by government, political or commercial interests.

The annual World Press Freedom Day, which is being marked on Thursday, is a key event. It provides the media fraternity and, indeed, those who believe in and cherish press freedom, with an opportunity to celebrate independent journalism and reflect on the challenges journalists and media institutions continue to face in the course of their work.

As the world takes stock of the happenings in the media landscape with a view to building on the gains while seeking a remedy in areas where crucial ground has been lost, Kenya finds itself in a not-so-savoury spot following the latest report by the globally acclaimed Reporters Without Borders lobby, which has ranked the country at number 96 on media freedom.

This illustrates the serious threats to journalists in Kenya, Tanzania (93rd) and Uganda (117th), falling standards of constitutionalism and challenges to the rule of law.

CROSSROADS

The Nordic nations of Norway and Sweden were rated first and second, respectively, in the index.

Coming on the heels of last year’s general election, one of Kenya’s most politically charged and highly polarising, the event finds the local media industry at a crossroads. The prolonged electioneering, compounded by the nullification of the presidential poll by the Supreme Court, not only tested the tenacity of the nation’s jurisprudence but was a litmus test for the media.

For individual journalists, it was a depressing period as they were routinely subjected to harassment, physical attacks, threats and intimidation by actors such as the government, security agents, politicians and political parties and their supporters. A number of them suffered psychological trauma and physical injuries that could have long-term effects.

SECURITY

Clearly, the security and safety of journalists in Kenya is under threat. This affects the quality of press freedom, an imperative that is enshrined in the Constitution. In essence, the actions of State and non-State actors threaten the freedom of the media, which is detrimental to constitutionalism, democracy and the rule of law.

And the tail end of the electioneering period proved to be no less painful.

Following the January 30 mock swearing-in of National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader presidential candidate Raila Odinga as the ‘people’s president’, a crackdown targeting the broadcast media ensued. In one fell swoop, four leading privately owned television stations were shut down by the government for their disregard of a directive not to cover the event live.

SHUTDOWN

The 10-day shutdown cost the stations millions of shillings in lost revenues and denied 80 per cent of TV viewers their right to access to information as several editors and journalists faced intimidation and threats of arrest by State agents.

Journalists were again to bear the brunt of brutality of the State machinery when they were beaten up and kicked out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on March 26 as they covered the return of opposition activist Dr Miguna Miguna, who had been deported following Raila’s ‘swearing-in’.

Images of television journalists curled up on the ground, bleeding but clinging to their cameras, spoke volumes about the vulnerability of journalists and the lack of respect by state actors for media freedom.

Hopefully, that will be the last such blatant violation of media freedom in Kenya.

DETERMINATION

Indeed, as a new team takes over at the guild following its elections a fortnight ago, it does so with the resolute determination to make the entrenchment of media freedom a key — if not central — plank of its multifaceted agenda.

As the foremost body for senior journalists in the country, the KEG undertakes to engage in open discussions with all players in the media industry, the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary and others to place the issue of media freedom at the core of democratic governance.

We commit to professional standards, enshrined in our code of conduct and underpinned by fidelity to accuracy and verification.

Similarly, we ask President Uhuru Kenyatta to demonstrate his commitment to the rule of law by ensuring that the media operate in a conducive environment.

OUTCRY

Two pieces of legislation offer immediate opportunity for the President. Two years later, not one government agency has complied with the Access to Information Act (2016), especially on regulations. Secondly, the Computer and Cybercrimes Bill has just been passed by the National Assembly to much outcry, especially on provisions on fake news, which may be open to abuse.

It is a prerequisite of free media that journalists be allowed to operate without undue influence by government, political or commercial interests. The government must not only commit itself to press freedom in word but in deed.

 Mr Otieno is the chairman, Kenya Editors Guild. [email protected]