Gachagua Praises Royal Media Services Amid Calls for Balanced Coverage

Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has praised Royal Media Services’ owned radio station Inooro FM for its good coverage of news and programmes.

In a statement on Saturday, July 27, Gachagua congratulated Inooro FM staff and management for its 21st anniversary.

The DP, who was the chief guest at the event organized by RMS to celebrate the station at Carnivore, Nairobi County, said Inooro FM has grown during the last two decades.

“It has truly been over two decades of sheer dedication and determination from staff and Management, which has seen Inooro FM grow into a household name. As your audience, we have found value in your precise programmes covering critical themes- such as Trade and Investment, Agripreneurship, Healthy Living, Culture and Religion, among others. All these speak to our hearts,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua Lauds S.K Macharia and RMS Leadership

Gachagua also recognized the leadership of RMS Chairman Dr. SK Macharia, his wife and Vice Chairperson Gathoni Macharia, Managing Director Wachira Waruru, and Inooro Station Manager Wanjiku Gitonga for their steady and strategic leadership.

He explained that the media is founded on the cardinal functions of informing, educating, and entertaining the public.

Gachagua said the media has increasingly become a core component of good governance and socioeconomic development.

“For over two decades, Inooro FM has been a key source of information, entertainment, and education for millions of its listeners in Kenya and the Diaspora. We wish Inooro FM and the entire RMS many more years of educating, informing, and entertaining our people,” he said.

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Communications Authority Warns Media Houses

Recently, the Communications Authority (CA) warned all media houses on compliance and regulatory requirements following the coverage of the anti-government protests.

In a statement on July 17, CA Director General David Mugonyi acknowledged the media’s constitutional mandate to freedom of expression but warned against reporting that incites violence or spreads propaganda.

“Article 33(1) of the Constitution of Kenya provides that every person has the right to freedom of expression while Article 34(1) guarantees freedom and independence of the media,” Mugonyi said.

CA quoted Article 33(2) of the Constitution of Kenya which states that media freedom does not extend to hate speech or incitement.

“However, the right to freedom of expression as well as the freedom and independence of the media does not extend to propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred that constitutes vilification of others or incitement to cause harm or that is based on any ground of discrimination, as encapsulated in Article 33(2),” the statement read.

The Authority reminded the media of the importance of accurate and responsible reporting, emphasizing the need to observe standards of good taste and decency.

Also Read: Media Council Issues Directive Amid Government-Media Rising Tensions

Ruto to the Media

President William Ruto had also challenged the media to act responsibly while reporting the anti-government protests.

Speaking during a church service in Bomet on July 21, Ruto advised the media to stop promoting anarchy and violence through their news stories and updates.

“I want to request the media to report responsibly. Reporting, celebrating, encouraging anarchy, violence, destruction of property, mayhem is irresponsible. If the country goes the wrong direction there will be nothing to report and nowhere to report from,” Ruto said.

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