Elizabeth Mwai
30 July 2007
Nairobi — The Government and media stakeholders have struck a deal on a raft of proposed amendments to the controversial Media Bill.
The Media Owners Association (MOA) chairman, Mr Hannington Gaya, on Sunday termed the changes "satisfactory".
An Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya activist and media consultant, Mr Tony Gachoka, also welcomed the proposed changes to the Bill, which has sparked off a confrontation between Government and industry players.
But the two were apprehensive that a Parliament deemed hostile to the media may interfere with the passing of what they perceived as a "healthy" Bill.
Of great importance was the clause defining a journalist by inserting the words "holds a diploma or degree in mass communication from a recognised institution of higher learning and is recognised by the council as such.
"This makes journalism a respected profession as it distinguishes who is a journalist and who is not," Gaya said.
The Bill also defines journalism, the meaning of a media enterprise and a publication.
Bill sets out composition of the council
It further gives the composition of the council, stating that it will have 13 members, and outlines the framework under which they shall be nominated.
The Bill says a person shall not qualify to be appointed to the council if one is not a Kenyan or is an office-bearer or employee of a political party.
It outlines how the members of the council will select from amongst themselves a chairperson and vice-chairperson, who shall at all times be of opposite gender.
Speaking at the news conference at a Nairobi hotel, Gaya said journalism was a condemned profession and the Media Bill allows a departure from that notion.
Gaya said the issue of remuneration was also of importance and would reduce corruption in media houses.
Gachoka said stakeholders had met about 105 MPs to push for the passing of the Media Bill. But the two were opposed to some clauses in the Communication Amendment Bill 2007.
Gachoka said they were agitating for the removal of the Broadcast section from the Bill, saying it was a draconian law that would undermine media freedom.
He said they would this week be meeting with the relevant authorities to present their grievances regarding the Communication Amendment Bill.
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