The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and the Kenya Editors Guild have condemned the attacks meted on journalists yesterday during the anti-government protests held by the Azimio One Kenya coalition.
Through a statement, Kenya Editors Guild president Churchill Otieno observed that violent attacks against journalists covering the Azimio rallies have alarmingly increased.
“Of particular concern is the growing spate of assaults perpetrated by the officers of the National Police Service (NPS), the very organ mandated by the law to ensure safety and security for all in Kenya,” he stated.
According to Otieno, two journalists from Royal Media Services were roughed up in Fort Jesus and Olympic areas of Kibera while a journalist from Agence France Press (AFP) and another from Chinese TV (CGTN) were also roughed up in the Olympic area.
Also two journalists from Africa Uncensored Group were on Monday detained and later released, one losing his phone in the process.
In another incident, a journalist from NTV was forced by police to delete what they had already recorded.
Otieno stated that the attacks against the journalists amount to assault against constitutional guarantees against media freedom perpetrated by presumed guardians of law and order.
“The Bill of Rights in the Constitution of Kenya is explicit on the entrenched right of the media to operate
without hindrance, along with rights to freedom of expression and the right to receive and impart information granted to all in Kenya.
“Article 34 (2) makes it clear that the State shall not interfere with any person engaged in
broadcasting, production or circulation of any publication or the dissemination of information
by any medium; or penalise any person for any opinion or view or the content of any broadcast or publication.”
The guild demanded that journalists be allowed to do their work without the interference of the police.
In a separate statement, MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo also condemned the attacks saying that they were a threat to democracy, undermined press freedom and limits the public’s access to information, violates human rights and can cause physical or psychological harm.
“Reports of journalists being attacked by goons participating in the demos and by law enforcement officers were supposed to provide security cannot be tolerated,” Omwoyo stated.
“Organising mass action which starts by attacking the media is defeatist and dangerous to democratic values,” he added.
Omwoyo noted that journalists play a vital role in providing timely information to the public and that any attempt to intimidate or harm them portrays a direct assault on freedom of press which is a fundamental right.
MCK assured that it will work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure those responsible for the attacks are held accountable for the actions, and ensure similar incidences are deterred in future.
“We commend and stand in solidarity with all journalists who put themselves at risk to report on events and keep the public informed, and we reiterate our commitment to fiercely defend the freedom of the press,” MCK assured.