Kenya: Minister calls for views on media control

The Government wants views on whether media ownership should be controlled. Yesterday, Information and Communication minister Mutahi Kagwe said: "We want to get views on whether we should allow a single proprietor to own more than one radio station, newspaper and television station." The Information and Communication Technology Bill, to be tabled in Parliament, addresses ownership of media organisations by individuals and firms. The minister urged MPs to actively debate the issue once the ICT Bill was brought to Parliament. He added: "We want also to know whether single ownership of such nature gives the public diversity or reduces it." He said the Government would not impose its wishes but go by the decision of the majority. Commenting on the hate campaign perpetrated by some FM radio stations in the run up to the referendum, Mr Kagwe said ways must also be found of protecting journalists from arm-twisting proprietors. more...

User comments

 Printable version