Media must resist the latest moves to muzzle journalism
By Editorial, July 4, 2025President William Ruto’s failing government has never disguised its contempt for the media. First was the decision to channel its advertising spending to one outlet, followed by the sustained negative characterisation of journalists by politicians close to the president.
Media practitioners have lately become major victims of police brutality during Gen Z protests, with dozens maimed and equipment withdrawn by State officials.
And in an unprecedented move, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) last week switched off the broadcast signals of Kenya’s main TV stations in clear violation of the Constitution and a High Court decision in relation to the coverage of live events.
The order followed unlawful direction from the CA for media houses to cease live coverage of the commemoration of the 2024 Gen Z protests.
The High Court had declared that the CA has no mandate to regulate broadcast content.
Clearly, the move was an affront on press freedoms and the right of Kenyans to information by a free and independent media.
Journalists play an important role in informing the public and must be allowed to operate freely. The Ruto government is relentless in its efforts to cultivate a toxic working environment for journalists.
It should also be of concern that the media regulator has morphed into a tacit enabler of these transgressions. The regulator has made itself an overzealous marionette puppet of the status quo, by abetting rules that pose an existential threat to an already struggling industry. The State has become a big hurdle in the journey to develop a resilient and principled media.
The Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy continues to feed the primitive appetites of a regime that seems terrified by the power of an empowered people, and an independent and free media.
Only yesterday, ministry officials, led by Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo stunned Parliament with a set of proposed rules to regulate the media. The new rules allow for vetting media content before it is aired, as well as placing punitive demands on the production of journalism.
Under the new regulations, the context of the subject matter and opinions, commentaries, and editorials would have to be verified before they are published. This will be a kin to surrendering newsroom decisions to an irresponsible government. The move will be relentlessly resisted.