MPs draft Bill to muzzle journalists

What you need to know:

  • The Bill seeks to limit the right of access to Information and freedom of the media.
  • The proposed law states that a person commits an offence if they publish anything scandalous on Parliament.

Journalists and bloggers will be fined Sh500,000 or jailed for two years if MPs pass a Bill that seeks to enhance the powers of the National Assembly and the Senate.

The Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill, 2014, if passed in its current form, will muzzle the media and cushion senators and MPs from scrutiny.

The Bill seeks to limit the right of access to Information and freedom of the media.

It seeks to bar the media from broadcasting, televising and transmitting the proceedings of Parliament or its committees unless granted permission by the Speaker or chairperson of the committee.

PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITY

The Bill, which is now before the National Assembly, provides that no proceedings or decisions of Parliament or a committee shall be questioned in court.

It provides for privileges and immunity of members from legal proceedings and freedom from arrest for civil debt during a session of Parliament.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan, who drafted the Bill, said it is meant to safeguard the powers, privileges and immunity of Parliament and its committees.

The proposed law states that a person commits an offence if they publish anything scandalous on Parliament, its committees or its proceedings.

Those found guilty will be fined Sh500,000 or jailed for two years.

SNUB OF TEAM

Witnesses summoned to appear before a committee, but fail to do so, shall be fined up to Sh500,000.

The relevant committee may also order the property of such a witness to be attached or sold to pay the fine.

A public officer who refuses to produce information or documents requested by Parliament risks being kicked out of office. If they are not civil servants, they risk a six-month jail-term.