Crushing press freedom: Kenya's plans

If it is up to the Kenyan government, press freedom in the country will be soon a thing of the past. At the moment, the authorities are discussing a bill that would give politics the power to control and license media companies (and to deny or take away licenses) and to determine what reporters write, say, claim and broadcast.

The bill also proposes to give Kenya's information minister the power to issue guidelines to the commission, wiretap journalists and media organizations, and to interrupt radio and television broadcasts.

The minister would also have the power to control programming content, through a new commission that would have the responsibility of ensuring that all broadcasts are in what the government terms "good taste."  Which basically means pro-government.

Kenya's internal security minister would be given the authority to raid media houses and seize and destroy equipment.

When this law is passed, Kenya will be on the same list as for instance Zimbabwe when it comes to press freedom.