President Mwai Kibaki has directed the country's chief legal adviser and the minister for communications to study amendments proposed by the media fraternity to the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act 2008 and the Kenya Communications Act 2008.
Attorney General Amos Wako and Information and Communication minister Samuel Poghisio should present appropriate recommendations on the proposed amendments to the Cabinet for consideration, Kibaki directed.
The president issued the directive on Wednesday in response to a letter from the Chairman of the Media Owners Association Linus Gitahi, appealing to the president to consider proposed amendments to the two laws.
President Kibaki said in a statement that he had noted concerns by the media regarding the two Acts and asked the AG and the communications minister to study the proposed amendments and consult with the media representatives.
President Kibaki's move comes in the wake of intense public pressure on him to protect the constitutional right to freedom of expression and of the press.
The new draconian law he approved on January 2 empowers the state to interfere with broadcast content and to switch off radio and TV stations.
The controversy has split the government, with Kibaki's coalition partner, the Orange Democratic Movement of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, distancing itself from the president's action and swearing to block implementation of the gag law.
The state has on its part waged a public campaign dismissing the media's concerns over the new law. Government spokesman Alfred Mutua published advertisements in support of the law and distributed a leaflet vilifying the media.
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I guess commerce comes before decency and moral values even to Religious organizations that own media houses and play RAVE music accompanied by half naked dancers in the name of music of worship. Next, Kibaki should declare all prisoners free! The GOVT violates their human rights by locking them up! In fact, Kenya should have No LAW at all since every law steps on a particular group's shoes. It will be a sad day in Kenya when lobby groups supported by self seekers purely for monetary interest- twists the Govt to back down on a decision that safe guards the common good of the majority.People should go to jail for perverting our youth.
Native, that's how repression starts. The next thing is banning political parties for the same of safeguarding national security. What a shame! Who guarantees objectivity in deciding what 'media content' constitutes a threat to national security? Don't wish for what you cannot handle. These are politicians and they detest criticism and dissent. This media law is an affront to democracy and should be reversed.
Native you are spot on. Kenyans eat politics sleep politics drink politics. Everything starts and ends with politics. I wish i could excape to libya. There is no commercial interest which can be left to regulate itself. Since the law was passed there is some decency from tv stations.