Cotu urges government to respect media freedom
The public disquiet over the government’s arbitrary shutdown of three private TV stations has intensified with Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli accusing the government of interfering with freedom of the media.
The Communications Authority shutdown NTV owned by Nation Media Group, Citizen TV of Royal Media Services Limited and KTN news channel on Tuesday as they prepared to cover the “swearing-in” of Nasa leader Mr Raila Odinga as the people’s president at Uhuru Park.
Mr Atwoli, who spoke in Nairobi said that the move is illegal and goes against the constitution of Kenya, which grants the freedom of the media, access to information and right to fair administrative action among others.
“The government should move with speed and restore the operations of these TV stations. It is not only wrong but unconstitutional to block them for going about their normal business of informing Kenyans,” Mr Atwoli said adding; “this is not the time to go retrogressive.”
He added; “it doesn’t even happen in countries where presidents are hell-bent on causing problems to their people. The media has a right to cover events without harassment or intimidation.”
On Wednesday, Interior and Coordination of National government Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i said that the stations will remain closed until investigations over their supposed links with the Nasa wing of National Resistance Movement, which he outlawed on Tuesday, are concluded.
The three had their main transmission centers in Limuru blocked, while the state run Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and K24, associated with President Kenyatta, were allowed to operate.
The shutdown is a culmination of the fears by Kenya Editors Guild chairman Mr Linus Kaikai that President Kenyatta “expressly threatened” to shut down and revoke the licences of any media house that would broadcast live the planned “swearing in” of Nasa leaders.
According to Mr Kaikai, the “threats” were issued at statehouse on January 26 after media owners were summoned for briefing over the Nasa event.
“The Guild is appalled by the details of the meeting which was held under an atmosphere of intimidation for the media representatives present. This brazen threat is intended to intimidate the media from performing its rightful role of informing the public on matters affecting them,” Mr Kaikai said.
The Kenya Union of Journalists secretary general Mr Erick Oduor also condemned the government crackdown on the media.
“This is unacceptable and can only support our analysis that we are facing the worst threats in the history of this country as the media,” Mr Oduor said.
