Six TV Stations Risk License Revocation over Coverage of Azimio Protests

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has threatened to revoke licenses of six television stations if they continue to violate the coverage code of live events.

CA has faulted the six television stations over their live coverage of the anti-government protests led by Azimio leaders.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Authority threatened to revoke the licences of Citizen TV, NTV, K24, KBC, TV47 and Ebru TV for broadcasting the rallies claiming the national broadcasters had violated the code of coverage.

According to CA boss Ezra Chiloba, the live airing of the protests was a form of incitement to the public and may upset the peace in the country.

“The coverage depicted scenes that could cause panic or incitement to the public, threatening peace and cohesion in the country,” CA stated.

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Chiloba said the Communications Authority had already written to the named media houses demanding compliance with the regulations, failure to which they would be sanctioned.

“The Authority has, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law, issued notices to the identified broadcasters to take immediate remedial actions. All broadcasters are hereby reminded of their obligations,” the statement read.

“While the Authority promotes freedom of the press, it is imperative that all broadcasters exercise caution in Live Broadcast Coverage in order to avoid scenes that would be detrimental to peace and cohesion,” it added.

Chiloba warned that failure by the stations  to adhere to the outlined obligations will be a breach of licence conditions which shall attract liability under relevant provisions of the law, including revocation of broadcast licence and/or broadcast frequencies.”