National Assembly committee says the whole digital migration process was mishandled

Media houses that have already migrated to digital broadcasting are accusing the two signal distributors of overcharging them.

The firms, under their umbrella body, Digital Broadcasters Association, want Chinese-owned Pan Africa Network Group (Pang) and government’s Signet replaced with an independent body that would manage the system fairly.

They told National Assembly’s Energy, Information and Communication Committee Tuesday they are uncomfortable with the two companies distributing their signals.

Capital Group chairman Chris Kirubi said the entire digital migration process was mismanaged and called for withdrawal of Pang’s licence.
“The government needs to set up an independent transmission authority,” Mr Kirubi said.

Mr Kirubi said the impasse between the Nation Media Group, Standard Group and Royal Media Services with the government was caused by the haphazard manner in which digital migration was introduced.

“We should have looked at what is best for the media. An independent person was needed so that we can transfer to the digital platform without all these issues,” said Mr Kirubi.

He said TV audiences had fallen drastically since the forced migration took place.

“This means less people are watching TV even though 40 stations are on air through the digital platform,” Mr Kirubi added.

“If you have to take my content and make benefits from it, then I think you should pay for it. I think that if we did not have Pang, and we just had Signet, there would be no hullabaloo. However, a transmission authority is needed. You need to withdraw the licence of Pang,” he said.

CHARGING SH1MN

“I think it is easy to develop an institution where the private sector is a partner with the government. This institution should not be disruptive and should not have a personal interests. Let us create one vehicle so that when I buy one box, we have every media available in Kenya.”

Mr Bedan Mbugua, the managing director of Fountain Media, noted that the digital signal carriers are charging Sh1million for transmitting their content across the country and Sh321,000 for Nairobi and its environs.

“Or may be all broadcasters should have a share in Signet so that no broadcasting company is killed. The carrier should be independent so that it can be fair. Let’s set up that independent body that can carry everybody,” said Mr Mbugua.

“Many people in digital have taken loans and may close if the rates are not lowered,” he added.

But Mediamax Network boss Ian Fernandes said the Sh1 million charged is lower than what they spend maintaining analogue transmitters.

Radio Africa CEO Patrick Quarcoo said Signet should be transformed into an independent signal distributor without government or commercial interests having a strong influence.

The committee chaired by Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau has been working to unlock the impasse. The MPs have also met Information ministry officials and the regulator.

MPs Roba Duba (Moyale, UDF), Rachel Ameso (Kakamega, ODM) and James Rege (Karachuonyo, ODM) said the migration process had been mishandled and should be relooked at.