Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) condemns CA directive of banning live broadcast of ongoing Gen Z protests, calls for immediate withdrawal
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 25 – The Kenya Editors Guild has strongly condemned Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) directive of banning live broadcast of the ongoing Gen Z protests, KEG notes that the directive is a gross violation of the Constitution and an affront to the press freedom and public accountability.
“CA’s claim that its acting under article 33 and 34 of the Constitution is legally and factually flawed, these provisions protect free expression with clear limits only on hate speech, incitement and propaganda not on responsible journalism”, reads a statement by KEG.
“Live factual reporting by licensed media is not a treat but civil duty”.
KEG states that the directive flies in the face of the 2023 High Court rulling in Kenya Editors Guild and others v Communication Authority and others where the court restrained CA from interfering with live media broadcast.
The judgement reinforced that no government agency may impose prior restraint on the press.
“By ignoring this rulling, CA is actively undermining judicial authority and re-opening the door to unconstitutional state censorship “.
KEG demands immediate withdrawal of the directive without delay, respect judicial orders, support Independent journalism urging media houses to stand firm, report truthfully and seek immediate legal protection if threatened and oversight and reform.
They add that Kenya’s Constitution in article 34 protects media freedom and article 35 ensures public access to information CA’s action attack both rights.
“The court has ruled clearly, CA must not act as if it is above the law, silencing live reporting weakens democratic checks and erode public confidence in state institutions “.
“Kenya Editors Guild stands ready to support any legal challenge against CA’s directive, we also encourage all media professionals to remain alert and united during moments of civil unrest the only crisis greater than the protest itself is the silencing of the voices that tell its story”, they added.
