Media Council of Kenya (MCK) CEO David Omwoyo has condemned Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria attack on the media.
The Council has warned that Kuria’s continued attacks and profiling of the media and journalists poses a big threat to the independence and freedom of the press in Kenya.
This is after Kuria attacked the media outlet using unprintable words, captured on video and text on Sunday, June 18.
The CS threatened to sack any state official who would place adverts with Nation Media in what Omwoyo said amounted to commercial censorship and incitement of the public against the media house.
In his attacks, Kuria said the media house was only fit for advertisements on auctions and funeral announcements.
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"The Council notes that this is the most extreme, since independence that individuals have pushed media and government relations to the brink and lowered the country's dignity," Omwoyo said.
Further, the Council says Kuria's conduct falls below the threshold set out in Chapter Six of the Constitution for state officers on integrity and leadership.
He said there exists an array of platforms through which any aggrieved party with media reportage can lodge their complaint and have the issue at hand addressed.
"Disagreements and misunderstandings are the hallmark of a democracy. While we appreciate the government's concerns about perceived negative coverage in the media, it is important that the media receives a coherent and consistent narrative from the State to enable a balanced coverage of government initiatives," Omwoyo said.
He added that the media must be appreciated as the watchdog which holds the government and those in power to account.
"This will mostly be perceived as an attack and may make certain people uncomfortable. Public officials have a duty to provide timely and accurate information to ensure an informed public," Omwoyo said.
The Council said the meeting with the government will address the relationship between the government and the media to protect the freedom of the media.
This will also ensure accurate public affairs coverage and decent handling of grievances when they arise.
