Journalists mark day amid State gag concerns

A photojournalist tries to avoid being hit by stones during a demonstration in Kisumu on April 26, 2016 in which protesters were calling for the removal of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission officers. Journalists will celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2016. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The day is important as it goes to show that freedom of the Press and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights.
  • Early this year, the media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists said Kenya was among the worst countries violating media freedoms in the region.

World Press Freedom Day will be celebrated Tuesday, with the Media Council of Kenya taking the opportunity to honour journalists who have excelled in reporting on issues of health, corruption, development and the environment.

The day is important as it goes to show that freedom of the Press and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights.

It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993. And it was an outgrowth of the Seminar on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press hosted by Namibia in 1991, which also led to the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting Independent and Pluralistic Media.

This year's theme is “Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms — This is Your Right!”, with a particular focus on censorship, surveillance overreach, and the safety of journalists.

In Nairobi, there will be a fifth Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA).

Media Council Kenya (MCK) Chief Executive Officer Haron Mwangi said: “Looking back, it is without any doubt that AJEA is bigger and better.”

At an annual general meeting last week, the Media Owners Association sounded the alarm over continuing assault on media freedom, citing over-regulation by State agencies and enactment of laws that shrunk practising space.

“An increased and adverse regulatory environment and duplication of oversight by government agencies has resulted in the infringement of the freedom of the Press and expression,” said association chairman Hanningtone Gaya in a statement.

Parliament enacted legislation in August last year that curtails media freedom.

Among the offending clauses is one seeking fines of Sh500,000 or a two-year jail term or both for anyone “who publishes false or scandalous libel on Parliament, its committees or proceedings.”

The Bill also bars journalists from “speaking words defamatory of Parliament, its committees or its proceedings.”

The MCK has also taken issue with the Kenya Film and Classification Board, which it says has no mandate to regulate television content.

Earlier this year, the media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists said Kenya was among the worst countries violating media freedoms in the region.