[kictanet] Media Bill 2007.

[Brian Longwe]

Bwana Ndemo,

I could not agree with you more. I have been appalled and dismayed at  
the outrageous response that has come about regarding the Media Bill.

The mere fact that it is a Bill means that this is the time for  
whoever has anything to change/remove/add should do it. It is not yet  
a law until it has passed public review, parliamentary review and  
government review.

I was even shocked today to hear some politicians who I used to have  
respect for referring to it as a draconian law designed to stifle and  
control - I don't even think the individual had any idea about the  
background and origin of the Bill.

I think it's time for truth and clarity to come forth.

Brian

On May 31, 2007, at 8:57 PM, bitange at jambo.co.ke wrote:

> Dear All,
> Our media continue publish one sided stories.  In my view it is  
> important
> that we shed some light on the Media Bill and the Integrity of the
> Industry.
>
> It should be obvious that integrity in media is of great importance  
> to the
> public, to individual journalists and their institutions, and to the
> health of the media enterprise. The increasing social, economic, and
> political significance of media has led to greater demands that
> journalists and their institutions be held accountable when using  
> public
> funds. Media subjects and their families expect journalism to do  
> what is
> necessary to minimize the risks posed by irresponsible reporting.   
> Society
> rely on the honesty and competency of professionals, and society's
> confidence in and support for media rests on public trust in the  
> integrity
> of journalists and their institutions. It is incumbent upon the media
> community to create and nurture an environment that both promotes high
> ethical standards and preserves public trust in journalistic inquiry.
>
> Yet, all is not well in the media community. Several high-profile
> incidents, ranging from blatant disregard for the principal of
> objectivity, to the fabrication of articles, to the death of  
> breadth of
> subjects outside politics, have raised concerns about the integrity of
> those engaged in media. During the past year, we have seen too many
> instances of media misconduct, like the front page pictures of  
> Matheri’s
> innocent children.   Another leading daily fabricates a story that an
> opposition leader visits State house.  Who will forget the Hope FM
> incident where innocent lives were lost yet the Government was  
> blamed for
> not taking action in advance.   Incidents such as these have in  
> most cases
> tainted the noble profession of journalism.  The Media Bill is indeed
> Media Council Bill just like the Nursing Council Act, Medical
> Practitioner’s Act, etc.  Lawyers, Pharmacists, Architects,  
> Engineers all
> subscribe to some Act of Parliament to guard against their own  
> excesses
> and the consumers.
>
> In the past few days we have witnessed Media at its worst –  
> manipulating
> public opinion – by only telling one side of the story in the process
> breaching their own ethical standards.    Check all articles on Media
> Bill.  They have even gone to the extent of gathering a number of
> activists and calling such meetings as stakeholder.  Government  
> which is a
> major stakeholder (supplies 90% of the news through KNA to Media  
> houses)
> is not even invited.  Not one of those meeting that they have  
> entertained
> the other side of the of the story.  This indeed should be the very  
> reason
> why the Media Council must step in to advise on media’s  
> responsibilities.
>
> In Tanzania where the same process is going on, views are analyzed  
> from
> both sides.  Media does not retract on their word.  Despite the  
> fact media
> developed the current Media Council Bill, they continue to argue that
> Government did not consult stakeholders.  You now understand why a  
> good
> constitution was defeated.  Should we allow a few individuals to make
> decisions that affect our future?  There is imminent danger if  
> media is
> not regulated simply because they have not managed to regulate  
> themselves
> without statutes.  Do you want to see another Hope FM scenario?
> Vernacular stations are preaching Venom and if it gets worse, you  
> know who
> the media will blame.
>
> Our only hope is that we are increasingly becoming a knowledge  
> society and
> Internet with or without print and electronic media will enable us to
> communicate.  Media has refused to publish alternative views on the  
> Media
> Bill.  Luckily they cannot mislead everbody.
>
>
> Ndemo
>
>
>
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