President Uhuru Vows To Protect Media Freedom

The Media plays a central role in the society and that’s why any country, world over, with a sane democracy has always strived to protect media freedom. And that’s what President Uhuru Kenyatta has promised to uphold.

Speaking when he officially opened the Media Council of Kenya Regional Journalists’ Convention at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), which coincided with the World Press Freedom Day yesterday, the head of State said that the Jubilee government will implement policies, programs and initiatives that promote freedom of the media to ensure that it discharges its mandate effectively.

“My government will fight any attempts to gag the media or any other action that will cripple its operations,” the President said.

He noted that the government will fast track four Bills geared towards entrenching media freedom in the country so that they are debated and enacted by Parliament within the timelines set by the Constitution.

As a country and an emerging democracy in Africa, President Kenyatta said Kenya will be at the forefront in fighting any form of gagging the media, harassing of journalists, constraining media space and violation of media freedom that are fundamental to good governance.

He, however, urged media to uphold the highest standards of professionalism as they discharge their duties.

“We expect the media to remain free, fair and objective,” Mr. Kenyatta said.

“The sense of responsibility in the media must expand to social media and other emerging forms of media,” he said.

[PPS]