Kenya: IFJ condemns repressive media bill

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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PRESS RELEASE/UPDATE - KENYA

10 May 2002

IFJ condemns repressive media bill

SOURCE: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels

**Updates IFEX alerts of 10 May and 26 April 2002 and 17 December 2001**

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

IFJ condemns repressive media bill in Kenya

The International Federation of Journalists, the world's largest
journalist's
group, and the Eastern Africa Journalist Association (EAJA), today expressed
their strong concern regarding the adoption of a media regulation that has
been
passed in Kenya. "This law is repressive regulation that is potentially
seriously damaging to press freedom," said Aidan White, IFJ General
Secretary.

On 8th May the Kenyan parliament passed the Statutory Law (Miscellaneous
Amendment) bill 2002, making shocking amendments to sections affecting the
media. The bill seeks an increase in the bond executed by media publishers
from
the current Kenya shillings 10,000 (US$128) to Kenya shillings million
(US$12,820). Vendors who sell newspapers that are not bonded face a fine of
KSH
20,000 (US$ 256) and/or a six-month jail sentence.

Publishers will also be required to submit at least two copies of their
publications to the registrar of books and newspapers. Failure to comply
will
attract a jail term of three to five years, a 1 million shilling fine for
first
offenders and disqualification from owning or publishing a newspaper or
magazine
for repeat offenders. Newspapers vendors will be required to confirm that
the
publisher has met all the above requirements before accepting to sell a
title.

"If the change is passed into law it will deal a devastating blow to the
growth
of media and freedom of the press in general", says Martin Ocholi, EAJA
coordinator. "EAJA sees this move as a deliberate and mischievous attempt by
the
ruling party and government to deny millions of Kenyans their rights to free
speech. Neither business nor professional significance can be served by this
move", he added.

The IFJ also has strong reservations about the underlying motives of the
government, regarding the recent legal challenges of politicians against
several
Newspapers. "Systematic attacks of the Kenyan government against its
citizens'
freedom of expression sketch a grim picture of the country, particularly in
the
light of the upcoming general elections", stated Aidan White.

The IFJ is calling on President Daniel Arap Moi to refuse presidential
ascent to
the law, and urges the government to stop its attempts to control the media
under the guise of regulation.

The IFJ is the world largest organisation of journalists with more than
500,000
members in more than 100 countries.

For further information, contact the IFJ, International Press Centre,
Residence
Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium, tel: +322 235
2200
or +322 235 22 01, fax: +322 235 22 19, e-mail: [email protected], Internet:
http://www.ifj.org/

The information contained in this press release/update is the sole
responsibility of IFJ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication,
please credit IFJ.
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