[kictanet] Media Bill 2007.

Fri Jun 1 06:50:53 EAT 2007

Brian, considering that Kenyans no longer accept perception but rather data-based proof, policies, legislation and regulation, why cannot the media businesspersons highlight their concerns on the list pointing specific clauses on the bill (thanks Alice for the soft copy) then listers contribute?

There cannot be self-regulation absent penalties for basking wrongs committed,
for example,suppose all 8 million gsm subscribers were on the "cheapest" tarriff at about 16 shillings per minute and a fixed daily charge of Kshs 14.50 irrespective whether any call is made. This translates to DAILY shillings 116,000,000 millions (or shs 0.16 billion) "revenue" by telcos while no-one actually made any call nor used any of their services, add the bigger revenues from actual calls.....and we keep asking what ruins prosperity?   

Because telecommunications tariffs self-regulation failed and is impoverishing Kenyans forcing regulatory intervention (likely also in petroleum?) but do we take it that the media businesses do not want a government-led  disciplinarian entity?

Perhaps this is not about press freedom rather media houses corporate profits? 

 Brian Longwe <brian at isisweb.nl> wrote: 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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