[kictanet] Media Bill 2007.

[Brian Longwe]

Hi all,

I think that one very important point that the media forget is that  
right now they have a lot of liberty because we have had 5 years of  
good (if not great) governance.

I believe all of us can remember the days when the media houses were  
so timid. Constantly shaking and shivering because they didn't know  
who the next "total" person would be that would sue them to their  
socks. I recall huge claims being made against them for reporting  
verbatim and factually something that actually happened but that  
reflected negatively against the formerly "total" people.

Putting in place this law will create a level playing field, one that  
cannot be abused - no matter how "total" one feels (or is)

You know as I reflect on this situation it's like with the  
constitution - the same people who voted "no" - immediately  
complained about the exercise of the power that the current  
constitution places in the executive - the same power that had been  
tempered and distributed in the draft constitution.

I think that the important thing is that this Bill is before  
parliament - there is need to ensure that debate in the House centers  
on the merits of the bill - since we know that there is a strong  
lobby against it I think that it is necessary to prepare a submission  
paper that should go before the House Committee, highlighting any  
"problem" areas - but more importantly throughly illuminating the  
"positive" aspects of the bill.

Regards,

Brian

On Jun 1, 2007, at 5:41 PM, bitange at jambo.co.ke wrote:

> Dear All,
> If you read today's papers, you have everything to worry.  It is being
> alledged that the ICT Bill is worse than the Media Bill and That
> Government did not consult.  I know you all participated in many  
> ICT fora
> discussing just what is being criticised.  After the first reading  
> we have
> another go at it but not to kill it at inception.
>
> I need not tell anyone that this Bill will unlock the ICT potential in
> this country.  Where were these people when you sacrificed your  
> time to
> have a just legislation in place?
>
> On Broadcasting, Kenya has one of the most liberal laws in place.   
> We have
> tried to have a frequency in Britain, China, the USA on reciprical
> relations in vain.  We toned down stakeholder's requirement on  
> restrictive
> cross media ownership by adopting South Africa Model but these  
> people want
> nothing but jungle laws in a democratic country.
>
> Since you access internet, please check, there is no country in the  
> world
> that does not have some sort of media regulation.  In fact  
> opponents of
> these Bills should be asked to name at least one country that has no
> regulation in media.
>
> Regards
>
>
> Ndemo.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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