The Media Council of Kenya has warned William Ruto’s allies against demonising media houses as the country’s political temperatures continue to rise ahead of the 2022 General Election.
On Sunday, September 5, Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa in Tweet referred to Citizen TV as ‘Gutter Press’ calling on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) supporters to switch to a different upcoming TV station.
In a press statement to newsrooms on Monday, September 6, Media Council of Kenya CEO David Omwoyo said the remarks by Barasa, a close ally of the deputy president William Ruto, are clear intimidation by politicians to the media houses and journalism at large.
“Our attention has been drawn to a social media post by Kimilili MP, Didymus Barasa, dated 5, September 2021, referring to one media house as ‘Githeri media’, ‘Gutter Press’ and calling on his supporters to move to another media house,
“Whereas the politician has the right to disagree with the editorial policies of any media house, it is unacceptable to incite the public against any media house,” Omwoyo said.
Omwoyo said while the Media Council recognises the right of any individual to demand to uphold ethical standards in journalism, it expects that the same shall be demanded of the politicians and leaders for violating freedom of expression, press freedom and access to information as provided for in the Constitution in articles 33, 34, 35 and the Media Council Act, 2013.
He said politicians have no powers to term the media as unprofessional saying such action amounts to taking the law into their own hands and proceeding to pronounce judgment on an issue they are not meant to prosecute.
“Any politician who attacks the media is a threat to press freedom and the Media Council of Kenya will oppose their clearance for participation in the next election,” he said.
Omwoyo further urged politicians and members of the public aggrieved by the ethical standards by journalists and media houses to file a complaint with the Media Complaints Commission which is legally mandated to handle such matters under section 27 of the Media Council Act, 2013, and issue remedies as it deems appropriate.
