Blunt over-regulation will run media out of town

[Courtesy]

While great strides have been made in Kenya’s media sector, challenges still abound. These include political manipulation and editorial influencing, threats against journalists, overbearing regulation, exposure to content theft by digital platforms and debts by public agencies. Unless the government and industry work out a system that creates the right environment for doing business in the sector, soon, credible media will be a thing of the past. Barriers to traditional media are increasing.

Because of lack of dialogue and honest information sharing between government, regulators, and media owners/managers, many decisions affecting the industry are made in the dark. For example, advertisements on alcohol are banned on traditional media, but allowed online where global trends indicate minors consume content. There is no research that guides policy decision relating to the industry. That’s why calls for a media support fund have gained currency.