Media Council bill ‘unconstitutional’

Kenya: The president will have the power to appoint the chairperson of the Media Council of Kenya if the proposed Media Council Bill, 2013, currently in Parliament, becomes law. This is likely to undo the gains made in the media industry, which should be free from state control as stipulated in the constitution.

Article 34 of the constitution states that the state shall not exercise control over or interfere with any media establishment. It goes on to state that any regulatory body over the broadcasting and other electronic media shall be independent of control by government, political or commercial interests.