Thanks To The New Media Bill ,You Could Be Seeing Less Of Papa Shirandula

The new media bill has certainly caused an uproar from media practitioners as it was viewed as a way of muzzling the media and curtailing local content.This is because local content will be squeezed into only 45% of programming so basically Afro Cinema and Mexican Soap operas will continue plaguing our screens.Horrible right?

Mwendwa Mutua a film director and producer says that the new media bill has the following as far as local content is concerned…

CLAUSE 17:
(3) A broadcaster licensed to distribute radio or television programs/ services shall ensure that at least 45% percent of the programs broadcast on radio or television on any given day comprise local content.

Despite his promise of 60% local content on the free to air channels, after the president refused to assent to the bill, this is what he has recommended the above subsection to be amended to;

(3) A broadcaster licensed to distribute radio or television programs shall broadcast on radio or television such percentage of Kenyan programs as shall be prescribed by the Authority.

Now, the problem is that the said authority will have no representation from the creative/film industry. It will be comprised of the following organizations:

a) Media council of Kenya
b) Kenya private sector Alliance
c) Law society of Kenya
d) Institute of Engineers of Kenya
e)Public Relations society of Kenya
f)Kenya National union of Teachers
g) Consumers Federation of Kenya
h) The ministry responsible for matters relating to media.

It is the time we should stand up and fight for our industry. Let us call our MPs, lobby them or do whatever is possible to let our voices be heard or else Afro cinema Mexican soaps/ series will be here to stay and that means less and less work for you the Kenyan actor, producer, director and the film industry at large.