Eleven members of the Kenyan Parliament have dared the Government to close a vernacular radio station, saying they would mobilise their supporters to condemn the action. The MPs, mainly from Rift Valley Province, said they would also defend Kass FM in Parliament and in courts. On Wednesday, the Government threatened to close down Kass by today (Friday) for allegedly broadcasting inciting and inflammatory material.
The leaders accused Communications and Information permanent secretary Bitange Ndemo of being influenced by “vendetta-driven politicians”. They also accused him of usurping the role of the Media Council of Kenya by acting as the complainant, investigator, judge and jury. In a statement read by Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, the leaders said: “We object in the strongest terms possible the repeated attempts by the Government to muzzle and silence Kass FM radio station.”
The MPs said the move was not only unconstitutional, but also bordered on infringement on freedom of the Press. The MPs accused Dr Ndemo of ignoring other FM stations accused of promoting ethnic animosity and targeting Kass using “wishy washy” evidence to threaten the station which caters for listeners in Rift Valley Province.
The MPs said they were alarmed, perturbed and gravely concerned that the ministry was threatening to roll back all the gains made in press freedom and civil liberties. Buret MP Franklin Bett said the Government’s action may be linked to recent calls by some powerful politicians to have vernacular stations closed. He also said they had been informed that the Government was unhappy with the manner in which callers and presenters at Kass FM had handled the controversial amnesty debate and the resettlement of more than 350,000 people displaced in violence soon after the December General Election.
Meanwhile, media owners have been given time by the Government to listen to and verify recorded tapes of Kass FM before any action is taken. The Media Owners Association, however, warned that it would not tolerate members who violated journalistic ethics, those which incite people against each other, those who use vulgar language, obscene pictures and discuss sex during prime time.
In a letter to Dr Ndemo signed by Kass finance director Julius Lamaon, the station denied broadcasting inflammatory material and demanded that its continuous “indictment” be stopped.
On Thursday, the MOA said radio stations were required to delay broadcasts by 30 seconds to censor unethical material.
(Source: NationMedia.com)
