Freedom of press is at risk even in Parliament

Journalists sit on the floor while covering a committee meeting in Parliament building on June 27, 2019. [File, Standard]

Threats by lawmakers recently to eject journalists from Parliament over alleged negative media coverage are not only unwelcome but a violation of the rights of the journalists to execute their duties as protected by the Constitution and other international instruments Kenya is a signatory to.

The threats are not new. The latest ones were triggered by media reports that a huge number of the lawmakers had travelled for a summit in the United States where they will draw millions shillings in allowances.