MCK Issues Statement on Kenya Kwanza’s Attack On Citizen TV
Following a series of attacks on Citizen TV by Deputy President William Ruto’s allies, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has issued a statement.
The Media Council singled out Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi and his South Mugirango counterpart Silvanos Osoro in a statement dated Thursday, May 19, for intimidating the editorial leadership of Royal Media Services (RMS).
Sudi had chastised the station for failing to censor comments made by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, which he claimed bordered on hate speech.
The outspoken legislator accused the Kilimani-based station of covering up the Suna West MP’s alleged insults to Kenya Kwanza supporters.
“Citizen TV, you can continue covering and reporting on Azimio and Junet Mohamed with all his (unprintable) and abusive remarks,” Sudi stated.
The Media Council stated in a message to all political leaders that all media stations follow a professional code of conduct when reporting.
“We particularly take note of the latest verbal attack against Citizen TV by Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi vide a social media post meant to intimidate the editorial discretion of the station. Sudi’s statement comes after similar threats by South Mugirango Member of Parliament Silvanus Osoro who castigated the media outlet for alleged biased reporting,” a statement signed by MCK CEO David Omwoyo read in part.
“We advise politicians and the public that Kenya’s media and journalists are guided by a professional code of conduct, with sufficient mechanisms for self-regulation, both as an industry or at a personal level,” MCK added.
To address cases of dissatisfaction, MCK has urged political leaders who are dissatisfied to file complaints with the Media Complaints Commission.
Since January of this year, 45 cases of press freedom violations have been reported to the Council, with the majority of them relating to electioneering and political campaigns.
“The Council is disturbed that such threats are likely to incite the public and political supporters against the media and may thus expose journalists and media practitioners to violations of their rights as they go about their rightful duties.
Attacks against and intimidation of the media contravenes Articles 34 and 35 of the Constitution on the Freedom of Media and Access to Information,” Omwoyo explained.
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