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Jan 05
2009
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A journo's take on the media billPosted by Ciku in Untagged   |
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This media bill.... has anyone read it anyway or as usual, are we just
commenting on things we know very little about? I am beggining to think
it isn't such a big deal anymore....don't get me wrong, I think if the
media was really 'gagged', we would be in big trouble, and me being a
journo, it wouldn't be good for me, so a gagging is the last thing I
want. But for me, this is no longer about the media bill.... there is
much more to this.....
Yesterday, I attempted to go through some literature on the bill. I still haven't seen the amendment bill, but I think from what I have gathered, I have a good idea on what is going on. Allow me to dissect, and please feel free to contribute.
Point number one, there was no quorum when the bill was passed. When I asked how this was possible while the law clearly states that there must be a quorum, I was told, the speaker was not informed by anyone! What! I know... how dumb is this dude he couldn't do a quick head count and see those were less than 25 heads? I wanted to know whether it was any specific person's duty to inform the speaker about the lack of quorum, I was told anyone could do it. I think Marende was in on the whole thing right from the word go. And all the MPs, present or otherwise.... I mean, how could they 'all' be absent on such a day?
Question number 2, apparently, this law already exists! So what's the big deal? One time, the law is included in the amendment bill, mara tena, it is not... well, I suppose it is all our fault for not taking time to check it out. I suggest we all do!
Number 3, even if the law did not exist, they still raid the media houses when they feel like it. Anyone remember KTN? Yup, obviously, they either broke the law, or they followed the law! I am so confused.....
Point number 4, I think it is a blessing in disguise for those of us who were living under the 'delusion' that there is a coalition government. It does not exist! Obviously, Kibaki makes all the decisions without consulting Raila, and if we suspected that before, now we are sure. How come Raila makes promises, and Kibs does the direct opposite! Something doesn't add up here. Could he be trying to smear Agwambo's name or is Agwambo playing with our heads and painting a picture of a good guy looking after our interests but Kibaki ignoring him? Is it possible that Agwambo really knew that the president would sign the bill before hand, this time making him the 'sharper' politician?
Another sub point. Obviously, Kibaki says the media bill is contained in a seperate act, so, what exactly was amended?
Finally, with all the high tech lawyers in this country, is it possible that they cannot find a loophole in this and have it blocked by a court of law? I know, if anyone looked harder enough, there is always a loophole.....or maybe we could just have a commission of enquiry?
Sigh.....
Point number one, there was no quorum when the bill was passed. When I asked how this was possible while the law clearly states that there must be a quorum, I was told, the speaker was not informed by anyone! What! I know... how dumb is this dude he couldn't do a quick head count and see those were less than 25 heads? I wanted to know whether it was any specific person's duty to inform the speaker about the lack of quorum, I was told anyone could do it. I think Marende was in on the whole thing right from the word go. And all the MPs, present or otherwise.... I mean, how could they 'all' be absent on such a day?
Question number 2, apparently, this law already exists! So what's the big deal? One time, the law is included in the amendment bill, mara tena, it is not... well, I suppose it is all our fault for not taking time to check it out. I suggest we all do!
Number 3, even if the law did not exist, they still raid the media houses when they feel like it. Anyone remember KTN? Yup, obviously, they either broke the law, or they followed the law! I am so confused.....
Point number 4, I think it is a blessing in disguise for those of us who were living under the 'delusion' that there is a coalition government. It does not exist! Obviously, Kibaki makes all the decisions without consulting Raila, and if we suspected that before, now we are sure. How come Raila makes promises, and Kibs does the direct opposite! Something doesn't add up here. Could he be trying to smear Agwambo's name or is Agwambo playing with our heads and painting a picture of a good guy looking after our interests but Kibaki ignoring him? Is it possible that Agwambo really knew that the president would sign the bill before hand, this time making him the 'sharper' politician?
Another sub point. Obviously, Kibaki says the media bill is contained in a seperate act, so, what exactly was amended?
Finally, with all the high tech lawyers in this country, is it possible that they cannot find a loophole in this and have it blocked by a court of law? I know, if anyone looked harder enough, there is always a loophole.....or maybe we could just have a commission of enquiry?
Sigh.....
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written by trr , January 05, 2009
Please see Dr Mutua's intervention on the frontpage, if he did not leaflet you I mean. Hahahaha.
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written by abu , January 06, 2009
Anarchy! Chaos! media bill ... every time I switch on the TV or pick up a copy of my Daily Kenyan newspaper.
This is how we are starting a fresh from what would have been the worst political instigated war in Kenya.
The media gets off everyday pushing about the now information and communication act signed by the president.They know no limits when they want something.
Last night I watched the opinion polls on KTN regarding the matter of whether we Kenyans think that the coalition government is working or not, 94% out of all who voted said NO only 6% think there is hope in it.
The media bill now dictates the success of the coalition government.Through manipulated poll results and inciting opinions from the people whom we rely upon to delivery news to us.
How can a true Kenyan patriot use the premise of what happened in the Dec 27 2007 elections as leverage to get what they want from the mwananchi?Does the media have no limits??
I suppose they will keep on opening up old woulds while we are still in the healing process so that they get what they want despite the fact that it may ruin a nation.How selfish can they get?Where is the neutrality they so boast about here?
ODM have majority vote in parliament , Raila Odinga is well known in his methods to charter support ... why was the bill accepted and tabled in the first place for consideration? Why wasn't it shot down before it became anything ... why are they involving the honorable prime minister now... ? Are they trying to break the coalition? I think this matter should be investigated and all allegations made or inciting notions delivered by the media to be taken seriously.To go back to where we were a few months ago is something everyone should dread!!
To the Kenyan Media .... have some ethics in the tactics you use to get your selfish needs."You covered the post election violence ... and I don't think any of you endured anything personally during that time while driving big cars and living in posh lifestyles" DON'T TAKES US BACK FROM WHERE WE CAME FROM!!
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This is how we are starting a fresh from what would have been the worst political instigated war in Kenya.
The media gets off everyday pushing about the now information and communication act signed by the president.They know no limits when they want something.
Last night I watched the opinion polls on KTN regarding the matter of whether we Kenyans think that the coalition government is working or not, 94% out of all who voted said NO only 6% think there is hope in it.
The media bill now dictates the success of the coalition government.Through manipulated poll results and inciting opinions from the people whom we rely upon to delivery news to us.
How can a true Kenyan patriot use the premise of what happened in the Dec 27 2007 elections as leverage to get what they want from the mwananchi?Does the media have no limits??
I suppose they will keep on opening up old woulds while we are still in the healing process so that they get what they want despite the fact that it may ruin a nation.How selfish can they get?Where is the neutrality they so boast about here?
ODM have majority vote in parliament , Raila Odinga is well known in his methods to charter support ... why was the bill accepted and tabled in the first place for consideration? Why wasn't it shot down before it became anything ... why are they involving the honorable prime minister now... ? Are they trying to break the coalition? I think this matter should be investigated and all allegations made or inciting notions delivered by the media to be taken seriously.To go back to where we were a few months ago is something everyone should dread!!
To the Kenyan Media .... have some ethics in the tactics you use to get your selfish needs."You covered the post election violence ... and I don't think any of you endured anything personally during that time while driving big cars and living in posh lifestyles" DON'T TAKES US BACK FROM WHERE WE CAME FROM!!
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written by japheth kaluma , January 06, 2009
In an unprecedented move aimed at gagging their own journalists, Nation Media Group has sacked 100 journalists for refusing to be used to demonstrate against the so called draconian media bill.
Media owners have taken an uncompromising view of any journalist who voices a different opinion from that of media owners when it comes to the media act.
Some journalists have said clearly that the media act does not contain any draconian clauses but journalists are being forced to write stories to support media owners who are scared that the legislation will weaken their power.
Some of those fired include Nation News Editor Emman Omari, NTV Anchor Winnie Mukami, Coast Bureau Chief Edman Kwen....Read full story here.
Link here.
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Media owners have taken an uncompromising view of any journalist who voices a different opinion from that of media owners when it comes to the media act.
Some journalists have said clearly that the media act does not contain any draconian clauses but journalists are being forced to write stories to support media owners who are scared that the legislation will weaken their power.
Some of those fired include Nation News Editor Emman Omari, NTV Anchor Winnie Mukami, Coast Bureau Chief Edman Kwen....Read full story here.
Link here.
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