Editor's Review

Chiloba in a statement on Wednesday listed Citizen TV, NTV, K24, KBC, TV47 and Ebru TV as the TV stations that violated the Programming Code when airing demonstrations on Monday.

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, March 23 castigated Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Director General Ezra Chiloba's move to censure six media stations over their coverage of anti-government protests.

Chiloba in a statement on Wednesday listed Citizen TV, NTV, K24, KBC, TV47 and Ebru TV as the TV stations that violated the Programming Code when airing demonstrations on Monday.

"The coverage depicted scenes that could cause panic or incitement to the public, threaten peace and cohesion in the country," Chiloba said.

He added, "While the Authority promotes the freedom of the press, it is imperative that all broadcasters exercise caution in live broadcast coverage to avoid scenes that would be detrimental to peace and cohesion."

File image of Ezra Chiloba

Chiloba further stated that media houses should adhere to all the clauses of the Programming as required of them.

"Take note that failure to adhere to the outlined obligations shall be acting in breach of license conditions, which shall attract liability under relevant provisions of the law including revocation of broadcast license or/and broadcast frequencies," he added.

Raila now says that the move by the CA Director General is illegal and unconstitutional.

"Chiloba issued an illegal and unconstitutional order censuring the media and threatening sanctions for the truth reporting of our demonstrations," said Raila.