The Communication Authority of Kenya CEO Ezra Chiloba says at least six TV stations contravened the standard of broadcast during Monday 20th March 2024 live broadcast of Azimio’s mass action across the country.
Ezra Chilob, who was the former IEBC secretariat says the Communication Authority has established that at least Six (6) TV stations, which includes Citizen TV, NTV, K24, KBC, TV47 and Ebru Tv, provided coverage in a manner that violated the Programming Code.
The coverage, the CA boss says, depicted scenes that could cause panic or incitement to the public, threating peace and cohesion in the country.
Chiloba, in a statement say, the CA has, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law, issued notices to the identified broadcasters to take immediate remedial actions.
While citing the constitution, Chiloba reminded the forementioned TV stations that the right to Freedom of Expression, does not extend to propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others, or, incitement to cause harm or discrimination;
That clauses 461 (1) (a) Kenya Information and Communications Act which requires licensed broadcasters to provide responsible and responsive
programming that caters for the varied needs and susceptibilities of different sections of the Kenyan community.
Clauses 19 (1) (c) and (d) Kenya Information and Communications (Broadeasting) Regulations which requires a licensee to ensure that no broadcasts by its station “glorifies violence or depicts violence in an offensive manner; or is likely to incite, perpetuate hatred, vilify any person or section of
the community;
Clause 10.2.1 of the Programming Code which requires broadcasters to take care in coverage of crisis situations so as not to hinder or obstruct efforts by authorities to resolve the situation.
Section 5.8.4 of the Programming Code which states that presentation of news and commentaries must not be done in a way that would create unnecessary panic or alarm.
Section 5.8.3 of the Programming Code which states that morbid, violent, sensational or alarming details that are not essential to factual reporting are not permissible.
Clause 2.4 of the Programming Code which states that broadcasters are responsible for the broadcast materials relayed on their stations, regardless of their source, as well as professional activities of its employees.
Chiloba further noted that the CA promotes the freedom of the press but they should exercise caution in live broadcast.
“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.” Chiloba said in a statement.
Chiloba threatened to shut down any TV station that contravene the standard by revocation of broadcasting licence.
“TAKE NOTICE that failure to adhere to the outlined obligations shall be acting in breach of licence conditions, which shall attract liability under relevant provisions of
thetaw, including revocation of broadcast licence and/or broadcast frequencies.” Said Chiloba.
