Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute

Press Freedom and Globalisation
1992 Kenya opened up to multi party political system accompanied by expansion of press
freedom. Some politicians asked for regulations of media. As a reaction, The Media
Industry Steering Committee (MISC) started to advocate self-regulation in the form of
code of conduct and a media council. The Media Council of Kenya became operative in
2004. The very first case came from the Minister of Information, Raphael Tuju versus
Daily Nation. 138
Stakeholders in MISC which runs the Media Council are The Kenya Union of
Journalists, The Media Owners Association, Editors’ Guild of Kenya, The Alternative
Press, Media Training Institutions, Kenya Correspondents’ Association, Media NGOs and
Public Media. 139 When a complaint is brought up, the procedure is first to try and mediate
the dispute. If mediation does not work, the Media Council acts as a court. If dissatisfied,
the complainant can bring the case before an ordinary court. The establishment of the
Media Council is an attempt to enlarge the space for press freedom. 140
Gathering Information
The NWICO debate noted the lack of technology in poor countries and that the media in
these countries are not properly equipped to access and gather information. In East Africa,
lack of equipment is a bottleneck for access to information. 141
The ethical side of information gathering is described in the Code of Conduct and
Practice of Journalism in Kenya. The code points out that comments from anyone who is
mentioned in an unfavourable context should be obtained and that it is a professional
obligation to protect confidential sources. Journalists should generally identify themselves,
and not tape or record anyone without the person’s knowledge. In cases involving grief or
138
Oral interview with Esther Kamweru, Executive Director of The Media Council of Kenya, in her office in
Nairobi, 10 th March, 2005, about the Media Council.
139
The Media Council of Kenya, Code of Conduct and Practice of Journalism in Kenya, p. iv.
140
Oral interview with Kamweru.
141
UNESCO, World Communication and Information Report : 1999-2000, pp. 73-74 and 77-81.
100