The Communications Authority of Kenya on Wednesday vowed to take action against media outlets not adhering to regulations and the set Code of Conduct while covering anti-government protests.
In a statement, the Authority stated that majority of the mainstream Kenyan media stations had gone overboard and violated the confines within which media practitioners are expected to remain.
According to CAK, the right to freedom and independence of the media did not extend to propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred.
The Authority called on all licensed broadcasters to provide responsible and responsive programming, uphold standards of good taste and decency, and present news accurately and impartially.
“All media houses are hereby cautioned that dissemination of content that runs afoul of the Constitution,” read part of the statement.
Media houses were urged to respect, uphold and defend the Constitution, by refraining from perpetuating violence which could cause widespread civil unrest in the country.
The Authority disclosed that the recent protests exposed instances where licensed media entities compromised objectivity and balance in the reporting of crime, security operations and crises.
According to CA, some media entities aired images of dead and seriously wounded people without censoring or blurring out the images.
"The Programming Code for Broadcasting Services 2024, requires broadcasters to ensure that the content of news, current affairs and factual programs are presented with sensitivity," CAK clarified.
"Further, the code requires broadcasters to avoid inflicting undue shock and pain to families and loved ones of victims of crimes, crises, disasters, accidents and other tragedies."
The directive by the Communications Authority comes hours after Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja banned protests within the Nairobi Central Business District.
According to Kanja, the National Police Service had received intelligence that organized criminal groups were planning to take advantage of protests to execute various forms of crime.
