The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called for dialogue between the media and the government, expressing deep concern over the worsening relationship that has led to public confusion and increased tension nationwide.
The council, in a press statement on Monday July 22, highlighted that what began as perceived biased media coverage of the 2022 General Election has now escalated into a full-blown conflict, with accusations, threats, and intimidation from both sides.
“The ongoing accusations bring to the fore a simmering tension between the government and the media, leading to tension and confusion across the country,” the MCK stated.
Despite the government’s significant investment in communication advisors and media consultants, the council noted that the outcome has been largely ineffective, characterized by “minimum mostly conflicting messaging.”
Media Council of Kenya on Communication
The council lamented the lack of clear government communication and the overabundance of conflicting viewpoints, which has left the media complaining about too many government voices and a lack of coherence.
The statement also highlighted the ironic unity of the political class, who have found reasons to work together post-election, while the media and government remain at odds, with the media still viewed as an opponent.
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Additionally, MCK emphasized that both the media and the government share a common public interest, which includes both commercial and editorial relationships.
“Using commercial interests to get back at editorial misgivings is no better than utilizing editorial positions to revenge for unmet commercial expectations,” the council warned.
The Kenyan Constitution guarantees a free, fair, and independent media focused on public interest, and both entities must agree to coexist and identify common principles for engagement.
MCK Message to Media Houses
The Media Council of Kenya further criticized senior government officials for their approach, which has included public accusations, expletives, and threats against media houses and journalists.
Stressing the importance of press freedom, the MCK stated that “The same way a bad government is way better than no government at all, bad media is a million times better than no media at all.”
The council also addressed the controversial issue of live coverage of demonstrations, which has sparked debate on journalistic ethics.
The MCK reminded media houses that live broadcasting of violence and conflict situations goes against the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya, which demands reasonable delays in such cases.
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Editors are urged to consider the implications of broadcasting live images of looting and other forms of violence.
Communication Authority Warning to Media Houses
This comes after the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) warned media houses in the country against broadcasting content related to the ongoing anti-government protests that it deems unconstitutional.
CA Director General David Mugonyi, in a letter to newsrooms on Wednesday, July 17, emphasized that while Articles 33(1) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya guarantee freedom of expression and media independence, these rights do not extend to “propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech, or advocacy of hatred.”
According to Mugonyi, a section of licensed media houses compromised objectivity and balance in the reporting of crime, security operations and/or crisis situations.
“Recent protests and ensuing violence, loss of lives and destruction of property have highlighted instances where licensed media entities have compromised objectivity and balance in the reporting of crime, security operations and/or crisis situations. The Authority further noted with concern that some media entities aired images of dead and/or seriously wounded people without censoring or blurring out the images,” he said.
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