Media Moves To Court Over Legislations

Justice Mumbi Ngugi has also consolidated the cases filed by Royal Media Services, Standard Group and Nation Media Group with the one filed by the Editors Guild, Kenya Union of Journalists and the Kenya Correspondents Association.

Media stakeholders moved to court over the Kenya Information and Communications Amendment Act that establishes the multimedia tribunal to handle disputes raised on the conduct of journalists and media houses.

The Act also holds a 500,000 shilling fine for journalists and 20 million for media houses that flout the law.

The media stakeholders also raised issues on the independence of the tribunal, as well as the Communications Authority with Information and Communication Cabinet Secretary having a key role in their composition and establishment.

The media owners and fraternity at large deem the two pieces of legislations, the Media Council Act and the Kenya Information Communications Amendment Act, as structured to gag the media in contravention with article 34 of the constitution for a free press.

The case will be heard on the 28th of January, 2014.

By

Wangui Ngechu