News
Public anger greets Kibaki’s signature on draconian law
Lawyers, religious leaders, journalists and politicians fear that with the stroke of a pen, the President might have driven the country back to the dark era of suppressed freedom. Graphic/EDWARD MWASI
Posted Saturday, January 3 2009 at 21:39
In Summary
- Act described as a bad law, not just for the media but also for Kenyans who are increasingly embracing mobile telephony and other electronic means to communicate.
- Editors’ Guild terms the President’s explanation in signing the Bill as evasive and one that fell short of the concerns that were raised by the media industry.
- President and PM Odinga said to be on a collision course because the former is opposed to the new law
Others who criticised President Kibaki’s decision to assent to the bill were nominated MPs Rachel Shebesh and Musikari Kombo, Karachuonyo MP James Rege , and former lawmakers Paul Muite (Kabete) and Reuben Ndolo.
Former Law Society of Kenya chairman Tom Ojienda advised the media industry to challenge the constitutionality of the new law in court.
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Submitted by MAMBONOPosted January 05, 2009 06:39 PM
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Submitted by ELEZATENA
It would be good that the daily nation publish the so called media bill for us read. This way we can make constructive comments.
Posted January 05, 2009 04:45 AM -
Submitted by ekchemweno
having read 23 comments on the bill posted herein, i am shocked that some people expose their ignorance and political alignment about the whole thing, before you write get the facts right.....the least read the bill and understand,people lets not read selectively and make quick conclusions.
Posted January 04, 2009 11:12 PM -
Submitted by kenmare69
You may chastise media organizations for standing their ground on Section 88 all you want, but if you can’t sniff the ulterior motive behind this law, God help you in your bubble ignorance. Look at the spurious explanation Kibaki gave while linking e-commerce to this monstrosity of a law. Does anyone in their right mind swallow this arty nonsense and proceed to have a good night sleep? How about your right to privacy and freedom of choice being snatched away by postal workers and the govt.? Go live in Afghanistan if that’s the kind of life you dream of.
Posted January 04, 2009 09:17 PM -
Submitted by musaufelix
The president should revisit the document again,this is because curtailing the media will compromise the democracy gains which Kenyans have fought for.The president should listen to the cry Kenyans have made and reject this document.Surely it will be misused by future readers.As it was seen Mps wanted it to protect them from corruption on public finances.
Posted January 04, 2009 07:55 PM
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I don't think the media will be doing any public posting of the bill because the media knows that it's more of a cry baby about the bill. If the media's powers are checked, news will no longer be as interesting as it's made to be, when that happens, sponsors pull away, revenue streams go down, jobs are lost. It's all a selfish and greed driven motive to keep the noise up to get the bill out.