Editors Sound An Alarm Over Amendment Bill

Editors Sound An Alarm Over Amendment Bill

The chairman of the Editors Guild Linus Kaikai says the bill if enacted would be retrogressive as it would emasculate the operations of the media in the country.

“The Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill will curtail media freedom” Kaikai said.

Kaikai further added that the bill was mischievous and is aimed at protecting Parliament from scrutiny by gagging journalists by denying them rights to question parliamentary proceedings.

Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi, Kaikai warned that the bill would take Kenya way back to the year 1982 when journalists were not allowed to scrutinize parliament proceedings.

The Editors Guild is now urging Parliament not to consider the offensive clauses.

The chairman of Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association Caroline Wafula has warned against victimization of the media for exposing their mischief.

Kaikai said the Media Owners Association has the full backing of the Media Owners Association, parliamentary journalists, Constitutional Implementation Commission and civil society groups.

By Wangui Ngechu