<html><body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div>Dear All</div><div>I'm still rural siaya where power challenges persist hence I will be brief. I agree with most of you that the chair of the council must not be a judge and a legal profession because the council duties are not limited to arbitration. The office of the chief Justice is very busy with enough judicial concerns to address and may nit have time for media. I suggest that the members appoint their chair and the ministry be the appointing authority. According to the new constitution, the ministers won't be political appointees so the minister could perform those duties with the interest of industry players better. There is need to assert journalism the profession and recognition as the fourth estate.</div><div>Racheal<br><br>Sent from my iPhone</div><div><br>On Jan 27, 2011, at 6:13 PM, Lydia Gachungi <<a href="mailto:Lydia.Gachungi@unesco.unon.org">Lydia.Gachungi@unesco.unon.org</a>>
wrote:<br><br></div><div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
<div>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Dear Listers,</font>
<br>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">To contribute to this debate, let
me start by quoting examples of what’s happening with
similar media councils in the region in relation to government appointments
. </font>
<br>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">According to various International
and regional media watchdog groups, a major challenge for the media
especially in this region is the temptation by governments to respond to
concerns about eg lack of professionalism and respect for ethical
standards in the media with punitive legislation. They argue that
this is what has in part informed government moves or attempts to pass
restrictive media laws, including the establishment of statutory media
councils like the current MCK. These Statutory media councils have
ended up doing more to stifle free expression and press freedom than to
promote professionalism and standards.</font>
<br>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> If we take an example of
the Rwanda’s Media High Council, which is also enshrined in the country’s
constitution, and which is arguably the region’s most active statutory
media council, although its independence is guaranteed both by the Constitution
and the law, various media watchdog groups argue that since its
members <b>are appointed by the Cabinet</b> from among representatives
of different media stakeholders( 2 private media, 1 public media, 1 civil
society, 1-private sector and 2 from central government), that the
Media High Council tends to focus more on policing the media more
than fulfilling its other mandate of promoting and protecting press
freedom. </font>
<br>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Other statutory councils in the
region, such as Uganda’s Media Council and Broadcasting Council attract
similar charges of lack of independence or distance from the government,
which appoints the members. </font>
<br>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Notably, many governments in the
region have been involved in all these appointment and Kenya is not exceptional.
The reality is that as long as the governments are involved in appointments,
whether it is the chairman of the MCK or the other representative either
by the relevant ministry or judiciary, independence can never be guaranteed.</font>
<br>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> In order to address these
challenges, there has been various attempts in different countries
to create self-regulatory mechanisms in the region. Tanzania provides
perhaps the longest-running self-regulation experience – and one from
which lessons could be drawn for other countries in this region. </font>
<br>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Uganda also saw the establishment
of a non-statutory regulatory body, the Independence Media Council of Uganda.
However, the statutory Media Council and Broadcasting Council are still
active and continue to overshadow the self-regulation mechanism. </font>
<br>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Rwanda also has the Rwanda Ethics
Commission, a self-regulatory body that is a sub-committee of the Rwanda
Journalists Association. </font>
<br>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">In that case, for the MCK, the
issue of who is the chair or appoints the same may not be as critical
as whether their decision will be independent or influenced by the interests
they represent in the board like many other statutory bodies
in the region . The suggestion that more representatives from
the media industry be appointed to the board all the more makes sense
to also ensure that the MCK actually serves the people it represents.</font>
<br>
<br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> The board members should
also elect their chair on revolving basis rather than having
too much of government hand in MCK composition and management of
its board meetings . That may then guarantee a degree of independence</font>
<br>
<p>
<br><font size="2" face="sans-serif">Lydia </font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</p><table width="100%">
<tbody><tr valign="top">
<td width="40%"><font size="1" face="sans-serif"><b>ERICK ngaira <<a href="mailto:erickngaira@gmail.com">erickngaira@gmail.com</a>></b>
</font>
<br><font size="1" face="sans-serif">Sent by: <a href="mailto:kictanet-bounces+lydia.gachungi=unesco.unon.org@lists.kictanet.or.ke"><a href="mailto:kictanet-bounces+lydia.gachungi=unesco.unon.org@lists.kictanet.or.ke">kictanet-bounces+lydia.gachungi=unesco.unon.org@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a></a></font>
<p><font size="1" face="sans-serif">01/27/2011 05:38 PM</font>
</p></td><td width="59%">
<table width="100%">
<tbody><tr valign="top">
<td>
<div align="right"><font size="1" face="sans-serif">To</font></div>
</td><td><font size="1" face="sans-serif">Lydia <<a href="mailto:lydia.gachungi@unesco.unon.org">lydia.gachungi@unesco.unon.org</a>></font>
</td></tr><tr valign="top">
<td>
<div align="right"><font size="1" face="sans-serif">cc</font></div>
</td><td><font size="1" face="sans-serif"><a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a></font>
</td></tr><tr valign="top">
<td>
<div align="right"><font size="1" face="sans-serif">Subject</font></div>
</td><td><font size="1" face="sans-serif">Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill
2010 (Day Four--Appointment of Chair/Procedure for appointment)</font></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br>
<table>
<tbody><tr valign="top">
<td>
</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br><tt><font size="2">Dear all<br>
I am inclined to believe this was copy paste from the Judicial Service<br>
Commission bill,( drafting error) hence the reference to “the Chair<br>
of the Commission”. On the other hand, if that is not the case and<br>
indeed the drafters intention is to have an advocate as the
chair<br>
then ,these are my comments<br>
.<br>
1.In other jurisdictions , for example , Uganda, Tanzania ,<br>
Southafrica, etc, - where I believe the drafters were borrowing from<br>
, the chair of the council is judge or retired judge, This is mainly<br>
because in these jurisdictions it is the Council that hears and<br>
determines complaints unlike the MCK.<br>
<br>
The MCK as constituted by both the 2007 Act and the 2010 Bill creates<br>
the Complaints Commission. It is the Commission that hears and<br>
determines complaints. The Chairperson of the commission is a person<br>
qualified to hold the office of a of the judge of the High Court.<br>
Therefore it is not necessary to make the chair of the Council a<br>
judge, even if the drafters were contemplating an appeal from the<br>
Commission to the Council, as provided for in section 33 of the bill,<br>
the Council already has a an advocate as a member and the can sit
on<br>
the appeals Committee. In view of this, the position of Chairperson<br>
should be open to anyone sitting on the Council, and they should be<br>
elected by the other Council members.<br>
<br>
As far as membership to the counci goes, It would be prudent to have<br>
each of the professional bodies drawn from those professions listed<br>
under Section7(c) among other stakeholders, nominate someone to serve<br>
on the Council with a minimum number reserved for media<br>
profffesionals.<br>
<br>
2. On he JSC being the appointing authority, I believe the idea was to<br>
make the MCK independent from the government in the spirit
of<br>
article 34(5), however this is inconsistent with the provisions of<br>
article 172 that outline the mandate of the JSC. To that extent the<br>
provision is null and void as provided for in article 2(4) of the<br>
Constitution.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On 27/01/2011, Solomon Mburu Kamau <<a href="mailto:solo.mburu@gmail.com">solo.mburu@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
> Dear All,<br>
><br>
> On 27 January 2011 15:32, k.k. ombati <<a href="mailto:kaykerubo@gmail.com">kaykerubo@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
><br>
>> Hi,<br>
>> Firstly,I think its unrealistic to decide that the chairman of
the MCK<br>
>> must be lawyer and one qualified to be a judge at that.That is
too<br>
>> exclusive...i think the postion of chairperson should be open
to<br>
>> anyone sitting on the Council.<br>
>><br>
><br>
> I agree. The Chair of MCK should not be a person of the position of
a judge<br>
> or a lawyer, because, essentially, if we let lawyers and judges be
the<br>
> chairs of constitutional bodies, the other professionals will feel
left<br>
> out. This exclusivity should be avoided.<br>
> Still on article 7(c), I find it rather 'choosy'. Ten years experience?<br>
> Doesn't that lock out other interested groups - the youth to be specific
-<br>
> from serving in this Council?<br>
><br>
><br>
><br>
>> Secondly,the Act has failed to state how the appointment of<br>
>> chairperson will be done,will it by election by existing council<br>
>> members or nomination or are they to be appointed by the appointing<br>
>> authority.<br>
>><br>
>> thirdly,to mandate the JSC to appoint members of the MCK is oustide<br>
>> the constitutional mandate of the JSC,I would propose that<br>
>> professional bodies drawn from those professions listed under<br>
>> Section7(c) together with KUJ,Editors Guild and Media Owners<br>
>> Association etc...each nominate someone to take up a position
in MCK<br>
>> with a number of seats,say four,reserved for media professionals
only.<br>
>><br>
>><br>
>> On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 12:48 AM, Grace Githaiga <<a href="mailto:ggithaiga@hotmail.com">ggithaiga@hotmail.com</a>><br>
>> wrote:<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > Good Morning Listers,<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > Welcome to day four of our debate.<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > Today, we will focus on the appointment of the Chairperson
of the Media<br>
>> > Council, and procedure for appointment of Council Members.<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > The Appointment of the Chairperson Article 7 (2)<br>
>> ><br>
>> > The chairperson of the Commission shall be a person who is
qualified to<br>
>> hold<br>
>> > the office of judge of the High Court under the Constitution.<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > Question: Should the Chair of a Media Council be drawn from
the legal<br>
>> > profession?<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > Article 8 (1) The Chief Justice shall, within fourteen days
of the<br>
>> > commencement of this Act, and every time vacancies shall
arise in the<br>
>> > Council, by notice in the gazette declare such vacancies
in the Council<br>
>> and<br>
>> > request for applications.<br>
>> ><br>
>> > (2) An application under subsection (1) shall be forwarded
to the<br>
>> Judicial<br>
>> > Service Commission within fourteen days…for purposes of
considering<br>
>> > applications, interviewing and short listing at least three
persons<br>
>> > qualified for appointment as chairperson and nine persons
qualified for<br>
>> > appointment as members.<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > Question:<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > a) Article 161 (2) of Kenya’s constitution
states that the Chief<br>
>> > Justice is the head of the judiciary. Should his duties
also extend<br>
>> > into<br>
>> > the appointing authority for MCK?<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > b) The mandate of the Judicial Service
Commission (JSC) as stated<br>
>> > in<br>
>> > article 172 of Kenya’s Constitution is for the judiciary.
Should JSC<br>
>> > then<br>
>> > extend its mandate to the Council when its mandate is so
clearly stated<br>
>> in<br>
>> > the Constitution?<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > c) What would be the alternative appointing
authority?<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > Once again, we would like to hear your comments/views on
these critical<br>
>> > issues.<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > Rgds<br>
>> ><br>
>> > Grace<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
>> > If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to
succeed. Life<br>
>> is<br>
>> > all about choices we make depending upon the situation we
are in. Go<br>
>> forth<br>
>> > and rule the World!<br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>> > _______________________________________________<br>
>> > kictanet mailing list<br>
>> > <a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke"><a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a></a><br>
>> > <a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet"><a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet">http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet</a></a><br>
>> ><br>
>> > This message was sent to: <a href="mailto:kaykerubo@gmail.com"><a href="mailto:kaykerubo@gmail.com">kaykerubo@gmail.com</a></a><br>
>> > Unsubscribe or change your options at<br>
>> ><br>
>> <a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaykerubo%40gmail.com"><a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaykerubo%40gmail.com">http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaykerubo%40gmail.com</a></a><br>
>> ><br>
>> ><br>
>><br>
>> _______________________________________________<br>
>> kictanet mailing list<br>
>> <a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke"><a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a></a><br>
>> <a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet"><a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet">http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet</a></a><br>
>><br>
>> This message was sent to: <a href="mailto:solo.mburu@gmail.com"><a href="mailto:solo.mburu@gmail.com">solo.mburu@gmail.com</a></a><br>
>> Unsubscribe or change your options at<br>
>> <a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/solo.mburu%40gmail.com"><a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/solo.mburu%40gmail.com">http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/solo.mburu%40gmail.com</a></a><br>
>><br>
><br>
><br>
><br>
> --<br>
> *Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau*<br>
><br>
> *****************************************************<br>
> *Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze
all the<br>
> same way to the side of a hill!*<br>
><br>
> AND<br>
><br>
> *It is better to die in dignity than in the ignominy of ambiguous<br>
> generosity! *<br>
><br>
> <a href="http://smiley2.wordpress.com"><a href="http://smiley2.wordpress.com">http://smiley2.wordpress.com</a></a><br>
> <a href="http://mburu.sikika.co.ke"><a href="http://mburu.sikika.co.ke">http://mburu.sikika.co.ke</a></a><br>
><br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
kictanet mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke"><a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a></a><br>
<a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet"><a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet">http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet</a></a><br>
<br>
This message was sent to: <a href="mailto:lydia.gachungi@unesco.unon.org"><a href="mailto:lydia.gachungi@unesco.unon.org">lydia.gachungi@unesco.unon.org</a></a><br>
Unsubscribe or change your options at <a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lydia.gachungi%40unesco.unon.org"><a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lydia.gachungi%40unesco.unon.org">http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lydia.gachungi%40unesco.unon.org</a></a><br>
</font></tt>
<br><font size="3" face="sans-serif"><br>
</font></div></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>kictanet mailing list</span><br><span><a href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke">kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</a></span><br><span><a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet">http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet</a></span><br><span></span><br><span>This message was sent to: <a href="mailto:rachealnakitare@yahoo.co.uk"><a href="mailto:rachealnakitare@yahoo.co.uk">rachealnakitare@yahoo.co.uk</a></a></span><br><span>Unsubscribe or change your options at <a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rachealnakitare%40yahoo.co.uk"><a href="http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rachealnakitare%40yahoo.co.uk">http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rachealnakitare%40yahoo.co.uk</a></a></span><br></div></blockquote><br>
</body></html>