Media owners, editors speak on coverage of rally

Editors Guild Chairman Linus Kaikai, Media Owners Association Chairman Sam Shollei chat with National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi at Parliament Building during a breakfast meeting.  [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/ standa rd]

Kenya: Media owners and journalists have dismissed allegations that they were coerced to deny the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) Saba Saba rally a live coverage.

The chairman of the Media Owners Association Sam Shollei yesterday assured Kenyans that the media are not subservient to any political class.

The chair of the Kenya Editors Guild Linus Kaikai and the organisation’s former chair Macharia Gaitho also denied that media managers conspired to give the event a black out.

“There was no media blackout on the events at Uhuru Park, as the rally was widely covered by the print media and given air time during the afternoon bulletins. The decision not to air the event live was taken by the media owners and there was no coercion. There was no requirement for continuous live coverage by the coalition,” said Kaikai.

A section of CORD leaders recently alleged that the media were forced by the Government give the CORD rally a black out.

They were speaking when media owners, editors and parliamentary reporters met Parliament officials  yesterday.

ROLE OF MEDIA

During yesterday’s meeting, the role of the media and Parliament in the promotion of democracy was emphasised.

Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, who was the chief guest, appreciated the symbiotic relationship between Parliament and the media, and noted that both are important in protecting citizens’ freedoms and enhancing  democratic gains,.

“The media and the legislature must continue working together. We are conjoined like the Siamese twins. The presence of the media is vital for a functioning democracy, and Parliament should facilitate the media’s operations by ensuring freedom of the Press,” Muturi said.

Shollei, who is also the Standard Group’s Chief Executive Officer, cautioned Parliament against passing draconian laws that impede freedom of the Press. “We hold Parliament in high esteem as an oversight body. In the event that Bills passed by Parliament are seen as unconstitutional, it does not augur well for the esteemed position of Parliament,” he said.

Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association association’s chairperson Caroline Wafula stressed the need for mutual respect between Parliament and the media.