Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has come to the defence of Nation Media Group after Trade CS Moses Kuria threatened to fire Government officials who would advertise with the media house.
In a statement on Monday, June 19, Wamuchoma noted that freedom of the press must be defended in line with the Constitution.
The Githunguri MP affirmed that politicians must respect the freedom of the press.
"Freedom of the Press is one of the Fundamental principles of governance achieved through the second liberation in the Country. We are only to blame if we cannot uphold what our forefathers painfully fought for.
"We must, at whatever price, defend the constitution of Kenya and ensure that the independence of parliament and freedom of the press is not Eroded to favour individuals," the legislator stated.
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She added, "As a trained Journalist, I respect the principle of Fair play and thus Right of Reply must not be demanded through coercion and threats. The political class has to respect the press. I stand with the Nation Media Group."
CS Kuria has come under sharp criticism from media stakeholders for threatening to withdraw Government advertisements from NMG.
Media stakeholders have castigated the Trade CS terming his remarks the 'most extreme' attack of media in the last thirty years.
At the same time, Deputy President Rigathi Gachaua joined CS Kuria in calling out Nation Media Group claiming that they lacked objectivity.
"Whereas I agree with Moses Kuria that Nation Media Group has become rogue, I don’t agree with what he has suggested that we stop advertising with them," Gachagua stated.
