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Kenya: Media Council Denies Gagging the Press
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The Nation (Nairobi)
24 July 2008
Posted to the web 24 July 2008
Dave Opiyo
Nairobi
The Media Council of Kenya has denied accusations that it intends to muzzle the Press through the introduction of laws requiring journalists to pay an annual subscription for them to be allowed to practise.
In a statement, the council said it was still open to further discussion over the matter and appealed to journalists to channel comments to its secretariat.
The council's executive director, Ms Esther Kamweru, said they would be the last to be involved in any activity that would muzzle the Press. "The council has been at the forefront in championing for the passing into law of the Freedom of Information Bill...
"Our function will always remain to promote and protect media freedom and independence as well as professional standards among journalists."
According to a notice published in last Friday's issue of the Kenya Gazette, journalists are required to pay the fees by the end of September.
The notice stated that big media houses that had five or more outlets and high power radio and TV frequency with national reach would pay a levy of Sh100,000 per month but were required to make the payments every three months.
Three months
Mr Wachira Waruru, the chairman of the media council, said in the notice that local journalists and correspondents were required to pay an annual fee of Sh2,000 while foreign journalists would part with Sh10,000. Foreign journalists on short term assignments lasting up to three months would pay Sh5,000.
Medium-sized media houses with two to four outlets will pay Sh75,000 while those with two outlets will pay Sh20,000 a month. Magazine publishers and media houses with one product will pay Sh10,000 a month.
On Wednesday, Ms Kamweru said the figures were discussed and approved at a full council meeting sitting on April 2, 2008.
The council was established through an Act of Parliament in October 2007 "for the self-regulation of the media and for connected purposes."
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Ms Kamweru said that before the gazettement of the subscription fees, a draft copy was circulated to council members for their input and comment.
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